Food waste is a huge global problem. Around a third of all food produced ends up in the trash every year. The impact on the environment and the economy is immeasurable. Wasted food is a source of greenhouse gas emissions, which are increasingly affecting climate change. Nevertheless, not everything is bad.

From AI and IoT (Internet of Things) to mobile apps and more, technological advances have helped reduce food waste and create truly sustainable food systems. Technology can help reduce food waste, and the future holds great promise for these solutions.

You can help implement these technologies and reduce food waste on our planet.

The extent of food waste

From production and processing to retail and consumption, this happens more often than we think. Food waste occurs at all stages of the food supply chain. Food is left unharvested in the fields, unprocessed in the manufacturing process and uneaten at home, resulting in 931 million tons lost in 2021, according to the UN Environment Programme. In addition, food waste, which generates methane, causes between eight and ten percent of annual CO2 emissions.

Unfortunately, the history of food waste in America shows that this is not a new phenomenon. Food waste began in the 19th century.^th and 20^th Centuries ago, when industrialization made it easier to access large quantities of food. Even today, households contribute to global food waste through uneaten leftovers and expired products. Restaurants also play a major role by throwing away excess or spoiled food.

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

Given the enormous impact on the environment, it is no wonder that people are working on ways to reduce food waste, especially through the use of innovative technologies.

How can technology be used to reduce food waste?

From freely accessible eco-friendly food refrigerators to microbial stickers that keep fruit fresher longer, technology has great potential to become the ultimate solution for food waste management.

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

AI in food waste management

Artificial intelligence (AI) is taking over many tasks in our lives, including helping with food waste management. By better predicting food usage, AI can help restaurants, hotels, and even households reduce their food waste. This information can be used to reduce overall waste and overproduction.

A study on food waste management in the hospitality industry found that AI solutions can also track inventory in real time, helping to reduce waste.

Winnow Solutions, for example, 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 that waste. This approach has helped companies like IKEA save millions of dollars annually by cutting down on unnecessary grocery purchases and reducing overall waste.

In the hotel industry, Orbisk offers an AI-based food waste management system that uses image recognition technology to automatically monitor and categorize food waste. Using this data, hotels can adjust their purchasing decisions and food preparation, resulting in a significant reduction in food waste. For example, hotel chain Accor implemented Orbisk’s technology in several locations, resulting in a 22% reduction in food waste within six months.

AI is also making a difference at the household level. Apps like Too Good To Go use AI to connect consumers with restaurants and stores that have excess food, allowing users to purchase that food at a discounted price. Not only does this help reduce food waste, but it also offers consumers the opportunity 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, saving millions of meals from going to waste.

Get active

Fighting food waste requires both global action and personal responsibility. As we have seen, innovative technologies such as AI and IoT are making a significant contribution to reducing food waste at different stages of the supply chain. From supporting large organizations such as IKEA and Accor hotels to individual households, these technologies prove that we can indeed create a more sustainable food system.

However, the success of these technologies depends 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 is up to each of us to take action in our daily lives.

Start by examining 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 excess food or, if you run a restaurant, adopting AI-powered kitchen appliances to monitor and manage your inventory. Small changes can have a big impact.

The journey to reducing food waste starts with awareness and is driven by action. By integrating these technologies and making conscious choices, you can play a critical role in tackling food waste and helping to secure a sustainable future for our planet. Let’s take the first step together – examine your eating habits, explore the technologies available and commit to reducing waste in your own home. The planet and future generations will thank you.

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