We’ve all been there at the end of the week, hunting through the fridge looking for whatever offensive mouldy object is causing the smell. Usually a sad forgotten vegetable or bag of salad you bought because you convinced yourself this was the week you were going to be healthy, are the guilty party. Oops! No biggie, you’ll just start fresh with your good intentions next week. It doesn’t really matter that you’ve created more food waste – it’s not that big a problem is it? After all, you don’t throw away that much food. The odd sad salad bag here, an extra leftover portion there, it’s nothing. In this blog we’re going to discuss the problem with food waste. After all, lowering food waste is our mission, and we want to show you why.

Food Waste and the Impact on Climate Change

It might not seem like a lot when you’re sorting your food at home but globally, 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year. In the UK, we throw away 6.6 million tonnes of household food waste a year, almost three quarters is food we could have eaten. Wrap.org estimate that 150 million tonnes of CO2 emissions are directly caused by the production, distribution, preparation and disposal of food. These emissions have the potential to stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years having a damaging impact on climate change.

A secondary issue with food waste is the methane produced when this waste decomposes. It is estimated that 20% of the world’s methane production is because of decomposing food. This equates to 67 million metric tones. Methane is 86 times more powerful that CO2 when it comes to global warming. In fact, Methane is responsible for 40% of warming since the industrial revolution. However, unlike other greenhouse gases, Methane only stays in the atmosphere for twelve years. So to make a real impact on climate change, if we started reducing our food waste, and as a result methane emissions, we could make almost in instant positive impact.

The Greenhouse Effect

So now you can see the problem with food waste and the impact it is having on greenhouse gas production. Our atmosphere is full of greenhouse gases (GHG) that trap heat and keep the surface of our earth warm. However, since the industrial revolution there is evidence that the earth’s surface temperature is increasing. The larger the volume of GHGs in our atmosphere, the harder it is for the planet to cool, this is turn is causing climate change.

What’s the Problem with Climate Change?

You may have heard the term “Climate Change” but what does it really mean? Climate change refers to a large-scale, long-term shift in the planet’s weather patterns and average temperatures. Currently, the Earth’s surface is 1.3 degrees warmer than it was pre industrial revolution. Although the idea of Indian summers and prolonged periods of sunshine sound idyllic. The reality is, as our planet gets warmer there are devastating impacts on countries around the planet. Prolonged periods of drought, horrific forest fires and destruction of natural habitats for animals are just some of the predictions that have been made, should this warming continue on its current trend.

Experts at The UN have predicted that there are just seven years left before the temperature of Earth increases by 1.5 degrees. This would mean:

• 3% probability of an ice free Artic Summer
• 2 months average length of drought
• 4% of mammals losing half their habitat
• 41% increase in the area burned by wildfires in the average Mediterranean Summer

How Does The Pantri Help?

We’re not scientists, or by any means experts in Climate change or global warming. However, we are passionate about making the little improvements we can make. Collectively, we can make a huge difference if we started with small changes – like becoming a member at The Pantri. Our eco-shopping solution is focused on redirecting useable food from landfill and into our baskets. We will cut CO2 and methane emissions from decomposing food in landfill. Studies have shown that 60% of the food wasted in the UK came from homes. By shopping at Pantri you can shop for just what you need, greatly reducing your food waste at home.

Through our partnership with Fareshare and other local businesses we are making a difference. Find out how the impact you can make by popping along and becoming a member. Interested in becoming a partner to cut back on your business’ food waste? Contact [email protected] and see how we can work together.