Food waste and packaging

• At home:

  • poor food preparation
  • ignoring use by dates
  • food being stored badly
  • relying too heavily on best before dates
  • throwing away left overs
• By producers and retailers:

  • retailers turning away food
  • retailers over stocking
  • supermarket offers ( buy more than what you need)
• Materials used in packaging:

  • paper - biodegradable and light
  • glass - reusable and heat resistant
  • metal - extends shelf ,ice and heat resistant
  • plastic - mouldable and transparent
• Advantages of packaging:

  • gives longer shelf life
  • reduced damage during transportation
  • carries information
• disadvantages of packaging:

  • Increase the cost of food
  • Landfill sites
  • Adds weight to food
  • Making packaging is high energy
• lessening environmental impact:

  • Purchase packaging free
  • Recycle where possible
  • Purchase food package in recycled, biodegradable material
  • Use reusable shopping bags