Environmental Issues
Fact sheet food wastage and the environment
In 2004, Australians threw away $2.9 billion of fresh food, $630 million of uneaten takeaways, $876 million of leftovers, $596 million of unfinished drinks and $241 million of frozen food. On average, Australian households throw out about $600 worth of food each year.
How much food waste does the Victorian commercial and industrial sector produce?
The commercial and industrial sector in Victoria wastes over 140,000 tonnes of food each year, producing 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas.
What impact does putting food waste into landfill have on the environment?
Landfilled food waste has a significant impact on the environment. Unfortunately, food waste does not compost easily in landfill, because it has no oxygen to assist it to break down. In fact, putting food waste in landfill often results in the production of methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than CO2.
Food waste is also a major contributor to the formation of leachate, a liquid run-off common in landfills, which pollutes ground water (and eventually surface water). More than 500 kilograms of leachate are generated per tonne of food waste landfilled.
Is donating food waste legal in Victoria?
Yes, provided the food being donated is safe.
To encourage businesses to donate food, the Victorian Government introduced the Wrongs & Other Acts (Public Liability Insurance Reform) Act 2002 to provide indemnity for organisations that donate safe food to charitable organisations. Organisations are protected, as long as the:
• Food is donated in good faith for a charitable or benevolent purpose.
• Food is donated with the intention that the receiver of the food does not have to pay for the food.
• Food is safe to eat when it leaves the possession or control of the donor.
• Donor gives the charity any information it needs to ensure the ongoing safety of the food.
Can we measure the environmental benefits of donating surplus food?
Yes, FareShare has launched a new environmental ‘calculator’ that measures the environmental benefits of donating surplus food.
Developed by Hyder Consulting, the ‘Food Recovery Environmental Benefits Calculator’ can estimate the savings in water, landfill, energy and greenhouse gas emissions of 40 food ingredients.
To produce FareShare’s meals, we collect quality surplus food that would otherwise be
wasted - from growers, manufacturers, wholesale markets, caterers, major retailers and
hospitality schools - and turn it into nutritious meals for the hungry and homeless. We also redistribute a large quantity of uncooked food directly to charities.
For the first time, businesses which provide surplus food to FareShare can quantify the
environmental benefits of their donations.
FareShare has also used the calculator to estimate its own environmental contribution. The
results are detailed in a new report titled: ‘Sustainability gains through the recovery of unsold
or off-specification food’.
The waste reduction associated with our large-scale food recovery program has significant
benefits for the environment. We estimate that for every kilogram of food that is recovered, FareShare saves 56 litres of water. FareShare’s food recovery activities in 2008-09 are also expected to save 620 tonnes of greenhouse gases – the equivalent to switching off 953 refrigerators a year.
How does FareShare reduce food waste?
FareShare turns surplus food into healthy meals for people in Melbourne who are hungry and homeless.
The organisation sources food from more than 70 businesses, including food wholesalers, catering companies, markets and hospitals.
In 2007/08, FareShare gave away 180,000 meals and an additional 190,000 kg of food to charities, and reduced the contribution of food waste to landfill by 280 tonnes. The organisation aims to distribute one million meals a year to those in need.
How can you help?
Contact FareShare CEO, Marcus Godinho, on 9428 0044 or 0416 180 802.
