In our world of food abundance, we often take for granted the precious goods that crowd our refrigerators and fill our cabinets. But behind this abundance lies a serious and avoidable problem that affects many families: food waste. These wastages not only have a negative impact on the environment but can also weigh heavily on the family budget. But have we ever wondered, really, how much they impact household finances? And, more importantly, what can we do to combat them?
A matter of figures. But how much do we waste?
Before delving into the details of the financial costs, it’s important to understand the extent of food waste. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the world wastes about one-third of all food produced, equivalent to approximately 1.3 billion tons of food per year. This food waste has an estimated economic value of over one trillion dollars (!!!).
When we look at the household level, food waste can represent a significant portion of monthly expenses. Many of us throw away food that is still good to eat, and this has a cost that can accumulate over time. But what is the financial impact on family budgets?
- Increased food expenses – Food waste means that families have to spend more money on purchasing food. Food that ends up in the trash is money that could be saved or used for other needs.
- Hidden costs – Food waste not only involves the food itself but also the resources used to produce it, such as water, energy, and agricultural land. These costs are indirectly reflected in bills and food prices.
- Wasted fuel consumption – Frequent purchase of wasted food means more trips to the supermarket, resulting in fuel consumption and additional transportation costs.
- Waste disposal expenses – Food waste ends up in landfills, increasing household waste disposal costs and contributing to the environmental problem of landfills
Do we know how to combat food waste and save money? Food waste isn’t just an environmental issue, but we all know it also hits family budgets hard. Taking steps to reduce food waste can not only help save money but also contribute to a more sustainable management of the planet’s food resources. It’s an important step toward a more mindful and economically stable future, but how can we do it? Just a few simple measures are enough
- Meal Planning – One of the main causes of food waste is the lack of meal planning. Planning weekly meals, making a shopping list, and buying only what you need can help reduce waste.
- Proper Storage – Learning to store food properly can make it last longer. Using airtight containers and labeling foods with expiration dates can help prevent them from becoming wasted food.
- Inventory Consumption – Before buying fresh food, make sure to use what you already have in your pantry or freezer. This prevents food from expiring before it’s consumed.
- Smaller Portions – Serving smaller portions during meals can help avoid leftover food on the plate.
- Food Donations – If you have excess food that you can’t consume, consider donating it to local organizations or food banks, thus helping reduce food waste and assisting those in need.
In a world where environmental awareness is becoming increasingly important, there is a simple gesture that many restaurants and diners are enthusiastically embracing: the Doggy Bag. But what exactly is it, and why is it gaining more ground both as a cultural practice and as a tool for family economics?
What are Doggy Bags?
Doggy Bags are containers designed to hold leftover food in a restaurant, allowing customers to take home meal leftovers instead of wasting them. But beware! When we talk about “leftovers,” we’re not referring to what remains on the plate (partially eaten) but rather what is left in excess in the servings and not finished by the diners. Originally associated with North America, this practice has now become increasingly common worldwide, with the main goal of reducing food waste.
Importance of Doggy Bags at the end of a restaurant meal
At the end of a restaurant meal, there may be food left on the plate, often due to generous portions or smaller appetites than expected. Instead of letting the food end up in the waste bin, Doggy Bags offer a brilliant solution, allowing customers to take home excess food, thus enjoying a delicious meal at a later time (this not only avoids food waste but also saves money, turning leftovers into a meal for the next day).
What impact do they have on families and the economy?
For families, using Doggy Bags can make a difference. At a time when food costs can be challenging, taking home leftovers from a restaurant meal can reduce food expenses and increase the value of the culinary experience. Moreover, this simple gesture significantly contributes to reducing the level of food waste, a global problem that strains our planet’s resources.
Countries where asking for a Doggy Bag is customary
While the use of Doggy Bags has become common worldwide, there are some countries where it is particularly ingrained in gastronomic culture. For example, in the United States and Canada, it is common practice to request a Doggy Bag when leaving leftovers in a restaurant. In France, “Gourmet Bags” are becoming increasingly popular, allowing the French to take home culinary delights’ leftovers. Even in Italy, a country known for its passion for food, acceptance of this practice is growing.
The importance of Doggy Bags for the Green Economy
In addition to the obvious economic benefits for families and the indisputable environmental benefits, the use of Doggy Bags contributes to the green economy. By reducing food waste, waste production, resource consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production and transportation are limited, encouraging sustainability in the food industry. Doggy Bags promote environmental awareness and cultural change towards more responsible resource management.
We should start adopting the Doggy Bag culture because they represent a small gesture with significant benefits. They are important not only to avoid food waste and save money but also to contribute to family economics and the green economy, supporting a more sustainable and mindful world. If we reflect on it, the widespread adoption of this practice could have a significant impact on our society and the planet we all share. In many developed countries, such as the United States and many European countries, it is estimated that the food waste rate without the use of Doggy Bags has been around 30-40% of the food produced. This means that a considerable amount of food ends up in waste instead of being consumed, contributing to the huge environmental and economic problems associated with food waste.
Perhaps not everyone knows that in many countries, numerous government organizations, NGOs, and companies have worked to address the problem of food waste through awareness initiatives, promotion of food recycling, food donations to charities, and encouragement of Doggy Bag use in restaurants. Some industrialized countries have also introduced laws and policies to reduce food waste. For example, France implemented a law in 2016 that prohibits supermarkets from destroying still edible food and requires them to donate it instead. In the UK, reporting requirements have been introduced for large companies to monitor and reduce food waste. So the next time we don’t finish the excess food at a restaurant dinner, let’s ask the waiter to give us a Doggy Bag without feeling embarrassed because unfortunately food waste already produces enough embarrassment.
Ig – @fairness_mag
