BSR Insight | Waste Not, Want Not—An Overview of Food Waste
About the Author(s)
Guy Morgan, Director, Advisory Services
Follow @hhttps://twitter.com/gnmorgan77
Publication Date
March 15, 2011
Share
As highlighted in BSR's new research brief on food waste—the first in a series exploring different elements of sustainable consumption—there is enough food to feed the world, but 30 percent of all food grown worldwide (approximately US$48.3 billion) is either lost or wasted before it reaches the consumer.
Food waste is a global, "farm-to-fork" issue. At the farm and plantation level in low-income countries, between 15 and 35 percent of food is lost due to poor agricultural techniques, pest infestations, and a lack of infrastructure such as grain silos. Downstream in richer countries, around 30 percent or more of food is discarded in processing, transportation, the retail environment (supermarkets and restaurants), and people's kitchens.
Companies are taking the following actions to tackle food-waste issues along their value chains:
- providing training and knowledge-sharing opportunities for small farms and food processors
- investing in "zero-waste" facilities
- partnering with food banks and others to make the most of excess food
- designing marketing campaigns that encourage "smart" consumption patterns
For more information, contact Guy Morgan or Kai Robertson.
About the Author(s)
Guy Morgan, Director, Advisory Services
Guy brings a wealth of experience in CSR strategy and program design and implementation to BSR's members and clients in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the United States... Read more →
Topics
Environment, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Food Waste, Stakeholder Relations, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain, Sustainable Consumption, Travel & Tourism
Related Content
Sustainable Investment in China article: As Environmental Protests Increase, New Implications for Business and Investment
BSR Insight: Sustainable Procurement in Practice: AT&T, Best Buy, and Dell
Share Your Thoughts
Please note, all comments are subject to moderation.