Use + Remix

The wrap on food waste

Food waste and plastic are intertwined problems. : Michael Joiner, 360info CC BY 4.0

Backgrounder: 541 words

As the world faces a growing food crisis, scientists are investigating how we can waste less of it.

8 perspectives

8 perspectives
Special Report

The wrap on food waste

As the world faces a growing food crisis, scientists are investigating how we can waste less of it.

Environment
Food packaging worsens an already smelly waste-management problem. : Eunike CC BY 2.0 / Flickr Eunike nike

As locked-down citizens plodded through COVID with their home-delivered meals, a new waste stream was created. It’s time to start cleaning it up

The wrap on food waste

Garbage went up as homes were locked down

As locked-down citizens plodded through COVID with their home-delivered meals, a new waste stream was created. It’s time to start cleaning it up

Environment
Does a single tomato really need a styrofoam tray and plastic wrap? : Sgroey (Wikimedia) CC 4.0

The problem of too much plastic packaging will not be solved without addressing its larger twin: food waste.

Reducing food waste

Plastic packaging has an evil twin

The problem of too much plastic packaging will not be solved without addressing its larger twin: food waste.

Environment
A freshness indicator might help in purchasing decisions. Nafise Motlaq / World Bank : Nafise Motlaq (c) World Bank

Intelligent packaging offers promise for reducing food waste, with smart indicators letting consumers know whether their fridge contents are still safe to eat.

Reducing food waste

Meet the meat that tells you when it’s going bad

Environment
This cup looks and behaves like plastic, but is made from plants. : Craig Cranko (BioPak) All rights reserved

Plant-based plastics are only just starting to be more widely accepted. But challenges remain.

Science against the clock

New plastics prepare for takeoff

Environment
Coca-Cola moved to plastic from glass having done an environmental assessment. : Giacomo Bettiol CC BY 2.0

Single-use plastic is a huge environmental problem, but it can help limit food waste – another big problem. Tackling both will take ingenuity.

Reducing food waste

Plastic pollution is bad, but food waste is far worse

Environment
Volunteers collect leftover pastries that are still edible so they can be distributed to those in need. : Garda Pangan Garda Pangan / Instagram CC by 2.0

Millions of tonnes of food are wasted in Indonesia every year. Social movements are filling a policy void and hungry stomachs.

Reducing food waste

Charity groups tackle food waste in Indonesia

Environment
As Malaysia grapples with rising food prices, it is important to look at how food is consumed and ways to reduce food waste. : Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0

Malaysia wants to get rid of single-use plastic by 2030. Bioplastics may help it get there.

World Environment Day 2023

Malaysia says no to single-use plastic

Health
Indonesia is an agricultural powerhouse – but as much as 184 kilograms of food per person per year goes to waste. : Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia), Josh Estey, Flickr CC BY 2.0

Vast amounts of food are sent to landfill. But the jury’s out on whether packaging is friend or foe in the fight against the problem.

The wrap on food waste

A bad wrap? Using packaging well to reduce food waste

Environment