APAC faces food waste crisis as industry, governments push for sustainable solutions, report shows 

APAC – The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is grappling with escalating levels of food waste, prompting governments, food service establishments, and the food and beverage industry to adopt sustainable practices, according to a report by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. 

The report highlights the increasing adoption of ethical sourcing, food waste reduction, composting programs, and efficient waste management systems across the region. 

Shravani Mali, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, noted a shift in consumer behavior towards sustainability, emphasizing the impact of ethical considerations on purchasing decisions.  

“Consumer demand for sustainability efforts among food service establishments and the food and beverage industry is accelerating,” Mali stated, adding that restaurants are now focusing on recycling materials, minimizing waste, and reducing their carbon footprint. 

Governments across APAC have also taken measures to address the crisis. Australia has set an ambitious target to halve food waste by 2030. Currently, the country discards 7.6 million tons of food annually, 4% of which comes from the hospitality and food service sectors.  

Meanwhile, China, where food accounts for about 50% of municipal waste, enacted the Anti-Food Waste Law to curb excessive consumption and waste. 

Tom Hill, Key Account Director for Southeast Asia at GlobalData, emphasized the urgency of addressing food waste in APAC, highlighting its environmental, economic, and social impacts.  

“The growing food waste problem in the APAC region demands immediate action and collaborative efforts across sectors to establish sustainable practices, enhance resource efficiency, and build a resilient food system,” Hill stated. 

Hill suggested utilizing food waste unsuitable for human or animal consumption, such as vegetable peels and eggshells, as natural fertilizers for landscapes.  

Additionally, he proposed redistributing surplus food through collaborations with nonprofit organizations and food banks to combat hunger and waste simultaneously. 

The issue of food waste extends beyond regional boundaries. According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Food Waste Index 2024, food loss and waste account for 8-10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions annually and utilize nearly 30 percent of the world’s agricultural land.  

The UNEP calls for collaborative public-private partnerships (PPPs) to implement systemic changes within the global food system and achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which aims to halve food waste by 2030. 

The Food Waste Index 2024 outlines a three-level methodology for countries to track and reduce food waste.  

From estimating food waste through modeling (Level 1) to measuring it at a national level (Level 2) and disaggregating data for policy design (Level 3), these approaches provide critical insights for targeted interventions. 

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