Food Waste Management

Food Waste

Food Disposal Methods

• Composting: breaking down organic waste into nutrient-rich soil
• Landfilling: burying waste in landfills, often leading to methane production
• Incineration: burning waste to produce energy, releasing pollutants into the air
• Anaerobic digestion: microorganisms break down waste to produce biogas

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Food waste decomposition in landfills produces methane, a potent GHG (21x more potent than CO2)
• Estimated 3.3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent emissions from food waste globally
• Reducing food waste can help mitigate climate change

Water Pollution

• Food waste can contaminate waterways through agricultural runoff, sewage, and waste disposal
• Nutrient-rich waste can lead to eutrophication, harming aquatic ecosystems
• Water pollution affects human health, wildlife, and ecosystems

Waste Management Strategies

• Reduce: plan meals, shop wisely, and store food properly to prevent waste
• Reuse: donate excess food, use food scraps creatively, or feed animals
• Recycle: compost or anaerobically digest food waste
• Recovery: use waste as energy, animal feed, or fertilizer

Soil Pollution

• Improper waste disposal can lead to soil contamination, affecting soil health and fertility
• Heavy metals, pesticides, and pathogens can leach into soil, threatening ecosystems and human health
• Sustainable waste management practices can prevent soil pollution and maintain soil health

Food Waste

Food Disposal Methods

• Composting breaks down organic waste into nutrient-rich soil
• Landfilling waste leads to methane production, a potent GHG
• Incineration releases pollutants into the air, while producing energy
• Anaerobic digestion produces biogas through microorganisms breaking down waste

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Methane from food waste decomposition in landfills is 21x more potent than CO2
• Global food waste emissions estimated at 3.3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent
• Reducing food waste can mitigate climate change by decreasing GHG emissions

Water Pollution

• Food waste contaminates waterways through agricultural runoff, sewage, and waste disposal
• Nutrient-rich waste causes eutrophication, harming aquatic ecosystems and human health
• Water pollution affects ecosystems, wildlife, and human health

Waste Management Strategies

• Reduce food waste by planning meals, shopping wisely, and storing food properly
• Reuse excess food by donating, using scraps creatively, or feeding animals
• Recycle food waste through composting or anaerobic digestion
• Recover waste by using it as energy, animal feed, or fertilizer

Soil Pollution

• Improper waste disposal contaminates soil, affecting soil health and fertility
• Heavy metals, pesticides, and pathogens in soil threaten ecosystems and human health
• Sustainable waste management practices prevent soil pollution and maintain soil health