About
6-8 % of all human-caused
greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced if we stop wasting food. In the U.S. alone, the production of lost or wasted food generates the equivalent of
32.6 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions. To further support this claim, EPA estimated that each year, U.S. food loss and waste embodies
170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent GHG emissions (excluding landfill emissions) – equal to the annual CO2 emissions of
42 coal-fired power plants.
Share of the global greenhouse gas emissions from food
Source: Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser (2020): "Environmental Impacts of Food Production". Retrieved from: '
https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impacts-of-food'
A
study by Poore and Nemecek (2018) shows that
19% of food’s emissions are due to food losses along the supply chain. This is caused by poor storage and handling techniques, lack of refrigeration or spoilage during transport and processing. In contrast, only 9% is caused by consumer waste.
In terms of global greenhouse gas emissions, food wastage is responsible for around 6%. This figure is from 2018 and does not include on-farm food losses during production and harvest. Therefore, it is very likely that greenhouse gas emissions are higher today.
To put this into perspective: GHG emissions from food waste is 3 times higher than global emissions from aviation. If food waste is compared to national emissions, it would be the third largest emitter behind China (21%) and the United States (13%).
In terms of global greenhouse gas emissions, food wastage is responsible for around 6%. This figure is from 2018 and does not include on-farm food losses during production and harvest. Therefore, it is very likely that greenhouse gas emissions are higher today.
To put this into perspective: GHG emissions from food waste is 3 times higher than global emissions from aviation. If food waste is compared to national emissions, it would be the third largest emitter behind China (21%) and the United States (13%).
Agricultural methane and nitrous oxide emissions increased by 17 % globally between 1990 and 2005. They are forecast to increase by a further 35 to 60 % by 2030. The main causes are the increasing use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and rising livestock farming. Nitrous oxide is a particularly climate-damaging gas. Compared to CO2, its climate-damaging effect is about 300 times greater per unit weight.
As the world's population is steadily increasing and is projected to grow from 7.7 billion to 9.6 billion by 2050, this will lead to intensification of global warming. Here at LEROMA our mission is to do our best to stop this negative trend by creating sustainable options. So much food is lost between the farm and the table, even though over 870 million people are undernourished.
With a growing demand for drinking water and the various requirements of the industry, the energy sector, and above all agriculture, water has become an increasingly valuable resource in recent decades. However, many parts of the world already face water scarcity. In the coming decades, population growth and climate change will further exacerbate it. Agriculture worldwide uses 70 % of the water extracted from surface waters and groundwater. This is why food waste also represents a great waste of water.
.svg)
The incineration of food waste requires a significant amount of energy and is expensive. Building an incinerator that can burn 1 million tons of waste annually costs between $190 million and $1.2 billion. Considering the environmental impact of food waste, incinerating food emits greenhouse gases and destroys the potential for nutrient reuse. Incinerators release 3 times as much nitrogen dioxide and 28 times as much dioxin as coal plants to produce the same amount of energy.
Recycling and upcycling will be an important task in the future. Especially regarding the fact that the real cost of food waste is much higher than $1.6 billion because our earth is destroyed in the long run. Every time food is thrown away, valuable resources such as water, soil and energy are also wasted. The later food is wasted along the value chain, the greater its environmental impact. These resources are consequently missing and contribute to environmental pollution.
To date, humanity consumes the equivalent of
1.3 earths per year, which means it takes one year and four months to regenerate the resources exploited in one year.
To date, humanity consumes the equivalent of 1.3 earths per year, which means it takes one year and four months to regenerate the resources exploited in one year.
1,000 - 1,500 liters of water
are consumed per 1 kg of avocado
1.4 kg CO2 per 1 kg of avocado
Each avocado travles around 10,000 km
Countries of origin: Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Peru
Smoothies, sauces and pastries
The core can be ground into powder and mixed into food
Face creams and shampoos
High fat content helps dry skin, while biotin gives shine to the hair
Pink dye in the textile industry
By boiling out the kernel and peel
Biopolymers from avocado seeds
Biodegradable straws, cutlery and plates invented by a Mexican startup
Recent research from BCG, a global consulting firm that works with business and community leaders to address their greatest challenges, found out that companies that are successful in
addressing societal challenges tend to enjoy
higher total shareholder return and margins. As they tackle a daunting global challenge, companies with a global value chain stand to gain tangible business benefits such as
lower costs, wider markets, and new revenue opportunities. In doing so, they help building a
circular economy with methods of recycling and upcycling.
.svg)
The world’s population is expected to grow linearly and reach
up to 10 billion people in 2060. The overall growth rate is getting lower and is predicted to
decline from 1.08 % in 2019 to 0.1 % in 2100. However, due to increasing technology and better medical treatment the number of people living on the Earth will still increase.
of the value chain with LEROMA
LEROMA is not only committed to
greater efficiency in the procurement process and trade in food raw materials, but also to the
reduction of food waste. Unprocessed food in particular can be reused. As a result, the
potential at the beginning of the value chain is particularly high and promising.
Time-saving
Upload new products with just a few clicks and complete the listing with technical criteria and related documents.
Efficient
Sell your surplus raw materials and reduce your storage and disposal costs.
Cost-saving
Receive inquiries only from prospects who have found your raw material through a specific search.
benefits of waste products. By making them available to alternative industries such as cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, we create a sustainable way of life
and a circular economy.
Sell your surplus and waste materials through LEROMA's Surplus Exchange. This will save you around 12 % of your disposal and storage costs each month.
