The Hidden Burden of Food Waste: The Double Energy Waste in Italy

Abstract

Abstract:The energy intensity of modern food systems represents a major issue in a scenario of decreasing oil resources and increasing population. Beside the use of renewable energy, an increased efficiency in food systems could contribute to reduce fossil fuels dependence. In this sense, food losses and waste (FLW) have crucial consequences on the energy balance. Based on the concept of "embodied energy", food wastage can be framed as a double waste of energy, both in terms of non-consumed food energy and the inputs used for production. Secondary data regarding direct and indirect energy inputs and FLW have been collected for the Italian food chain to estimate the embodied energy of food waste. Since in 2011 the production and distribution of food implied the use of 822 PJ and 18 Mt of food was discarded, 67 PJ of food energy and 100 PJ of embodied energy were wasted. These figures are equivalent to 12.2% of the total nutritional energy output and to 1.3% of the final energy use in Italy, respectively. The concept of double energy waste sheds new light on the intertwined relationship between energy and food security, suggesting that appropriate food waste reduction policies could result in a higher food production level and relevant energy savings.

Energy Embedded in Food Loss Management and in the Production of Uneaten Food: Seeking a Sustainable Pathway

“…The results of the energy flow analysis determined a total EEL value of 17% in relation to the total PED along the entire supply chain, showing the consumption stage as the most inefficient one. This is in accordance with Vittuari et al [7], who assume that embodied energy builds up along the chain, so the latter the FL occurs, the greater the energy loss. The EEL results indicate that in the final part of the food supply chain, which means the sum of the distribution stage plus the consumption stage, the highest amount of EEL is concentrated.…”

“…However, this is not a new phenomenon; in fact, in the energy crisis of the 70s, Pimentel et al [3] found that the energy efficiency of modern food production was declining. Over time, the energy inputs began to be higher than the energy outputs [4], and according to Cuellar and Webber [5], Lin et al [6] and Vittuari et al [7], nowadays the food supply chain requires 10-15 kJ of fossil fuel to produce 1 kJ of food. From the whole supply chain, the high-energy intensity of agriculture has meant an enormous increase in the consumption of fossil fuels; however, this is common in all phases of the food supply chain and it varies depending on the type of product and processing level.…”

“…Thus, it is essential to focus on the reduction of energy used in food production systems by improving their efficiency, as it could be one of the most important drivers for development of sustainable food production systems. Searching for that efficiency, food losses (FLs) have central consequences on the energy balance on the food supply chain, additionally leading to a significant environmental impact in terms of inefficient use of natural resources, biodiversity and habitat loss, soil and water degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions [7]. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [12], more than a third of the food produced is wasted, involving around 38% of the energy embedded in its production.…”

“…Regarding to the latter, the efficiency in energy recovery through different management strategies, can vary considerably depending on the strategy and the FL composition. In summary, precise accountings of energy use for the production of consumed (and non-consumed) food are extremely challenging for developing strategies to mitigate energy losses [7].…”

Plate Waste in School Lunch Programs in Beijing, China

“…Although food loss and food waste occurs throughout the whole food supply chain, from farm to table, food waste at the consumer stage attracts particular attention because the relatively large amount of consumer food waste means that all resources input at production, processing, storage, and distribution stages was used in vain, and a significant amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions occurring at these stages and at waste management is added [5]. Besides, considering the rapid growth of the global population and the declining of the per capita availability of resources and energy for food production, food waste also intensifies the global food shortage and malnourishment [6].…”