Exploring Technology-Based Solutions to Reduce Food Waste

Food waste is a huge global issue. Around one-third of all food produced goes to waste every year. The environmental impact and consequences of this on the economy are immeasurable. Wasted food is a source of greenhouse gas emissions, which affects climate change further and further. Nevertheless, not everything is bad.

From AI and IoT (Internet of Things) to mobile apps and more, technology-powered advancements have contributed ways to mitigate food waste and achieve truly sustainable food systems. Technology can help reduce food waste and the future holds a lot promise for these solutions.

You can help implement these technologies to help the planet in food waste reduction.

The Scope of Food Waste

From production and processing to retail and consumption, this happens more often than we know. Food waste is produced at all the stages in the food supply chain. Food goes unharvested in the fields, unprocessed in the manufacturing process and uneaten at home, adding up to 931 million tons lost in 2021, according to the U.N. Environment Programme. Moreover food waste, which generates methane, accounts for between eight percent and 10 percent of annual CO2 emissions annyally.

Sadly, the history of food waste in America shows this is not a new phenomenon. Food waste started back in the 19^th and 20^th centuries as industrialization made for easy access to lots of food. Today, households still contribute to global food waste through uneaten leftovers and expired products. Restaurants also play a big role by throwing away excess or spoiled food.

To put this into perspective, the United Nations’Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that if food waste was a country, it would be the 3^rd biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, global food waste represents $936 billion per year in lost value. If we simply prevented that waste, it would be possible to feed everyone on the planet.

With such a huge environmental impact, it’s no wonder people are working on ways to mitigate food waste, especially using innovative technologies.

How to reduce food waste using technology?

From free-access eco-friendly food fridges to microbial stickers that help fruits stay fresh longer, technology is showing great potential to become the ultimate food waste management solution.

These technologies tackle everything from managing and reducing to redistributing food waste. Let’s talk about three tech solutions that are changing the food waste game.

AI in food waste management

Artificial intelligence (AI) is taking over many tasks of our lives, including helping with food waste management. By being able to predict food usage better, AI can help restaurants, hotels, and even households reduce their food waste. With this info, the overall waste and overproduction can be reduced.

A study about food waste management in the hospitality industry found that AI solutions can also track inventory in real-time to help with reducing waste.

For instance, Winnow Solutions uses AI to help commercial kitchens track and analyze food waste. By using smart scales and AI algorithms, Winnow’s technology can identify which foods are most commonly wasted and provide actionable insights to reduce this waste. This approach has helped businesses like IKEA save millions of dollars annually by cutting down on unnecessary food purchases and reducing overall waste.

In the hotel industry, Orbisk offers an AI-based food waste management system that uses image recognition technology to monitor and categorize food waste automatically. This data allows hotels to adjust their purchasing decisions and meal preparations, leading to significant reductions in food waste. For example, Accor, a hotel chain, implemented Orbisk’s technology in several locations, resulting in a 22% decrease in food waste in six months.

At the household level, AI is also making a difference. Apps like Too Good To Go use AI to connect consumers with restaurants and stores that have surplus food, allowing users to purchase this food at a discounted rate. This not only helps reduce food waste but also offers consumers a way to save money while enjoying quality meals. In 2023, Too Good To Go partnered with major supermarket chains like Carrefour and Aldi to expand its reach and impact, rescuing millions of meals from going to waste .

Take Action

The battle against food waste is one that demands both global action and personal responsibility. As we’ve seen, innovative technologies like AI and IoT are making significant strides in reducing food waste at various stages of the supply chain. From helping large organizations like IKEA and Accor hotels to individual households, these technologies are proving that we can indeed create a more sustainable food system.

However, the success of these technologies hinges not only on their development and deployment but also on our willingness to embrace them. While technology can provide the tools and insights needed to reduce waste, it’s up to each of us to take action in our daily lives.

Start by exploring your own food waste habits. Are you buying more than you need? Are leftovers ending up in the trash? Consider using apps like Too Good To Go to rescue surplus food or, if you run a restaurant, adopting AI-powered kitchen tools to monitor and manage your inventory. Small changes can lead to big impacts.

The journey toward reducing food waste starts with awareness and is driven by action. By incorporating these technologies and making mindful choices, you can play a crucial role in combating food waste and helping to secure a sustainable future for our planet. Let’s take the first step together—examine your food habits, explore the available technologies, and make a commitment to reduce waste in your own home. The planet, and future generations, will thank you.

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