Exciting products are emerging from the industry’s efforts to repurpose materials once considered food waste. From the farms to laboratories, innovators have discovered how to integrate husks, pineapple peels and banana fibers with other materials to create green packaging and textiles. Coffee grounds are finding their way into skincare products as exfoliants and skin tighteners, while fruit peels and seeds are antioxidant sources for beauty products. Broken rice or wheat grains are processed into flour. As Nestlé has proven, most parts of the cocoa fruit need not go to waste when making chocolate1. The list continues to expand rapidly as companies turn the burden of industrial waste into a green opportunity.
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Industrial waste consumes resources, causes operational inefficiencies, and impacts others and the environment. As we all know, food waste levels have not significantly improved, as 1.3 billion tonnes2 are still generated from farm to fork. Plastic packaging waste? It is at an estimated 141 million tonnes annually, or 36.5% of global plastic use.3
The white paper4
released by Future Food Asia states that many regions are still
struggling with managing agricultural and industrial by-products, and this contributes
to high levels of greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Therefore, waste-to-resource programs are necessary to contribute
to a circular economy.
Spending more to
address the waste issue is a given, however optimizing resource use means
reducing raw material and operational costs particularly related to waste
disposal. Companies need to know which technologies they can adopt to meet
their goals. Examples would be by-products upcycling and waste-to-energy
solutions. In the food industry, the meat, dairy and beverage sectors generate
the largest volume of wastewater, therefore advanced wastewater treatment
should be an essential part of their processes.
Suppliers and
manufacturers are expected to comply with waste reduction as governments tighten
regulations on waste management. The food and agribusiness consultancy
firm, Farrelly Mitchell points out that Singapore’s
Green Plan 2030 and Japan’s Food Loss Act are pushing manufacturers toward
responsible production. In the Philippines, the Food Waste Reduction Act
promotes the efficient use of the country’s food resources through food waste
recycling and food donations.
Most consumers are
now interested in products that are sustainably produced. Companies investing
in waste-to-resource programs demonstrate commitment to sustainability, and
this is attractive to eco-conscious consumers.5
As mentioned, new
business opportunities arise in waste management. According to the Matcha
Initiative in Singapore, upcycled food products, bioplastics, and alternative
proteins are emerging markets that turn waste into profitable solutions.7
Where to start
· The National Environmental Agency in
Singapore recommends conducting a Waste Audit, the first of which is understanding
the type and volume of waste generated. It said manufacturers should assess
their production processes to identify where waste occurs, track
inefficiencies, and determine potential areas for recycling or upcycling6.
· Future Food Asia suggests collaborating
with experts in waste management and upcycling and sustainability-focused
organizations and startups to accelerates waste-to-resource adoption.
· Invest in waste-to-energy solutions such as
biogas production and anaerobic digestion that can convert food waste into
renewable energy. By utilizing organic waste, companies can reduce their reliance
on fossil fuels.
· Optimizing packaging and supply chains is
essential. Companies can reduce packaging waste through biodegradable materials
or reusable containers, and improve logistics to minimize surplus food waste
ensures better inventory management, Farrelly and Mitchell said.
· To ensure the success of any program,
companies must educate their employees and consumers on their waste reduction initiatives.
Training employees on sustainable practices and educating consumers about
responsible consumption builds long-term environmental commitment.
As Asia’s food
production landscape evolves, adopting circular economy principles will define
the future of responsible manufacturing.
References
1Nestlé Japan
launches KitKat with cocoa fruit chocolate. https://www.nestle.com/media/news/nestle-japan-launches-kitkat-cocoa-fruit-chocolate
2Food Loss and Waste Prevention Strategies from Farm to Fork. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/10/5443
3Packaging waste facts and statistics https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/your-waste/packaging-waste-recycling/packaging-waste-facts-and-statistics/
4Waste-to-value: A white paper on the future
of food upcycling in Asia https://futurefoodasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Waste-to-Value-White-Paper-7June2022.pdf
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