Food waste is an inevitable part of any business that deals with food, but the amount we produce and how we dispose of it can make a huge impact on our environment. In the UK alone, 9 million tonnes of food were wasted in 2018, which could have been used to feed those who are hungry.
What is food waste?
Food waste is a pervasive problem that affects every aspect of the food supply chain, from farms to households. It’s defined as any edible material that is discarded, whether it’s because it has gone bad or is past its expiration date. However, food waste also includes inedible parts like peels, seeds, and pits that must be thrown away.
Interestingly enough, this definition isn’t limited to just expired or unwanted produce; it also encompasses crops that were not harvested due to changes in demand or logistical issues. This means that even before the products reach stores and restaurants, there are already instances where perfectly good food goes to waste.
Further down the supply chain lie unsold foods, both prepared and unprepared. Restaurants often prepare more food than they need for their customers’ convenience but end up throwing out excess dishes at the end of each day. Supermarkets may discard items nearing their best-by dates despite still being safe for consumption.
Food waste continues to be a significant issue worldwide, with various causes throughout the entire process of bringing goods from farms to tables.
What are the Benefits of Recycling Food Waste?
Save on Waste Management Costs
Food waste is a significant problem that plagues many businesses and homes. It not only harms the environment, but it also costs money to manage. Every year, food waste management services cost businesses billions of dollars in dumpster fees and hauling expenses.
Conducting a waste audit is one way to reduce these costs. By analyzing your business’s current practices, you can identify areas where food waste is being generated unnecessarily. For example, you may be throwing away perfectly edible food that has passed its expiration date or purchasing too much inventory at once.
Once you understand where your waste comes from, you can take steps to minimize it. This could include adjusting your ordering habits or changing how certain foods are prepared and served.
Reducing food waste not only saves on disposal costs but also reduces the amount of greenhouse gases produced by landfills. By taking steps to implement an effective food recycling program, businesses can lower their environmental impact while simultaneously saving money on rubbish removal services.
Conducting a waste audit is an important first step toward reducing unnecessary spending on dumpster services. With some effort and careful planning, companies can reduce their environmental footprint while cutting down on operational expenses associated with managing food waste.
Less bulk for landfills
When most people think of food waste, they assume that it will decompose and become part of the soil because food is biodegradable. However, this is not always the case. Composting the food waste requires a balance of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ materials which may not be maintained with food waste, making it difficult to compost.
Furthermore, packed landfills do not allow for airflow which is necessary for composting. Food waste may also contain oils and fats which are not conducive to composting. As a result, when food waste ends up in landfills, it does not benefit the soil, as many believe.
The more we add to landfills, the more space we need to accommodate all the waste. This means clearing out trees and vegetation to make room for these massive piles of trash.
Recycling food waste significantly reduces the burden on landfills while also allowing by-products such as biofuel and fertilizer to be created from recycled materials.
By recycling our food waste instead of sending it off to landfill sites where it won’t properly decompose or break down into useful resources like fertilizers or fuel sources – we can reduce our environmental impact while creating new economic opportunities!
Improve Your Business’ Image
Adopting a food recycling plan is not only good for the environment, but it can also do wonders for your business’s image. Taking meaningful steps towards sustainability demonstrates to customers that your company cares about the planet and takes responsibility for its impact – a crucial factor in today’s world of environmentally conscious consumers.
By promoting your program through social media or other marketing channels, you can generate positive publicity centering on your commitment to being eco-friendly.
This could help draw in new customers who prioritize sustainability when making purchasing decisions. Additionally, this action not only helps the environment, it can also save money on waste management costs over time – fostering customer loyalty while contributing positively to society at large!
At Express Waste Removals, we believe that dealing with food waste in the best way possible is not only environmentally responsible but also makes economic sense for businesses. As waste management experts, we provide specialist recycling solutions that are both eco-friendly and wallet-friendly for businesses across various sectors.
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- Certified Junk Clearance Professional at Express Waste Removals.
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