THE CHALLENGE
Food Waste Challenge
Globally one-third of all food gets thrown away, yes, that’s right. One-third!
If we were to collect all the edible food and drink waste over a year in the UK alone it would amass to 4.5million tonnes.
Why is this a problem?
We have an enormous hungry population!
It is estimated by the UN hunger report that a staggering 690 million people are undernourished, that is 1 in every 9 people in the world. We could feed all these people with less than a quarter of the food waste in the UK, Europe and the US!
Food waste is an environmental disaster!
While food waste has a huge affect on our climate and environment, it is estimated that only 32% of people in the UK recognise this link (WRAP, 2020)
When we waste food we also waste the land, labour, water and love that has been used to grow, transport and store that food! Food waste that ends up at the landfill is very harmful to our environment, releasing huge amounts of methane and CO2, as well as toxic chemicals that leach into groundwater!
We are throwing money in the bin!
When we waste food, we are also wasting money! It is estimated that food waste costs the average family with children around £60 per month! Collectively the 4.5 million tonnes that are thrown away each year in the UK are worth £13.8 billion! (WRAP, 2020)
What is Kitche’s solution?
There are lots of actions we can take to reduce food waste. It is important that we recognise that different solutions will be needed depending on the type of food waste, cultural food habits and the scale of the issue!
At Kitche, we are targeting household food waste, that is the food we all throw away on a daily basis and it makes up 70% of food waste in the UK!
A food waste hierarchy distinguishes between different actions that can be taken to reduce food waste. The most effective strategies are preventative, reducing food waste at the source! Whilst the least effective strategy is disposal, that’s when the food goes into the landfill, no energy is extracted and harmful fumes are emitted.
This is what we are doing at Kitche, preventing food waste before it happens by encouraging people to eat what they buy and buy what they eat.
What can you do?
Join the movement and become a Kitche food waste warrior!
By downloading the app you can make the most of the awesome tools to help you reduce your food waste and make a difference!
