Food waste has a significant environmental impact as the production, transportation, and disposal of food products require a great amount of energy, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerate global warming.

Food waste refers to any raw or cooked food that is discarded before, during, or after preparation. There are three types of food waste: avoidable food waste, which includes spoiled or unnecessarily purchased food; potentially avoidable food waste, such as apple peels, chicken skin, and inedible parts of food; and unavoidable food waste, such as bones. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), approximately 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted globally each year, along with all the resources (energy, water) that were used in its production. In Hungary, around 1.8 million tons of food waste is generated annually, a significant portion of which could be avoided.

Reducing food waste is crucial in minimizing its environmental impact. By being mindful of our consumption habits, planning meals, properly storing food, and utilizing leftovers, we can contribute to reducing food waste and conserving valuable resources. Additionally, supporting initiatives that focus on food recovery, redistribution, and composting can also help address the issue of food waste.

Sustainability topics | Climate change, carbon footprint, recycling