BSR Insight | The Waste on Your Plate
A large portion of the more than 65-billion pounds of food waste in U.S. landfills stems from household waste—the food and drink we buy but don’t consume. This costs businesses and consumers, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, and squanders the water, energy, and other outputs expended from farm to fork.
BSR’s new brief on household food waste examines how companies can encourage consumers to waste less. The business benefits are clear, including heightened consumer loyalty, increased brand equity, revenue generation, and cost savings.
Approaches include helping consumers:
- Understand the consequences of food waste. Companies can raise awareness by making an economic argument and highlighting societal benefits.
- “Right size” their purchases. Companies can adjust portion sizes and discourage waste.
- Improve knowledge about food storage, leftovers, and disposal. Companies can use clear labeling and innovative packaging.
For more information on food waste, read BSR’s report “Waste Not, Want Not” and Asia Communications Manager Nina Jatana’s blog on food waste in Hong Kong, or contact Food, Beverage, and Agriculture Director Kai Robertson.
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