What are the three categories of food waste?
1st June 2023
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The Three Categories of Food Waste
Food waste is a global concern that demands our attention. To tackle this issue effectively, it’s essential to understand the different categories of food waste.
Here are the three main classifications:
Avoidable Food Waste
This refers to food that is still edible but is discarded due to factors such as overproduction, improper storage, or expiry dates. By adopting mindful shopping habits, meal planning, and better inventory management, we can significantly reduce avoidable food waste.
Unavoidable Food Waste
Also known as inedible food waste, this category includes parts of food that cannot be consumed, such as peels, bones, and coffee grounds. While these portions are not suitable for direct human consumption, they can be diverted to composting or anaerobic digestion facilities to be transformed into valuable resources.
Food Loss
Food loss occurs at various stages of the supply chain, including production, transportation, and storage. Factors like spoilage, pests, and inefficient distribution contribute to food loss. Addressing these challenges requires improved infrastructure, better logistics, and collaboration across the food industry to minimise losses and maximise the utilisation of available resources.
By understanding these categories of food waste, we can make informed choices and take action to reduce waste, protect the environment, and ensure a more sustainable future. Let’s work together to combat food waste and create a world where every meal counts!