Food waste refers to the discard or loss of food that is still safe and suitable for consumption. This can occur at various stages of the food supply chain, including production, processing, distribution, retail, and consumption. Food waste can arise from various factors such as overproduction, flawed supply chain logistics, consumer behavior, and the aesthetic standards set for food presentation.
It has significant environmental, economic, and social implications. Environmentally, food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions when disposed of in landfills, where it decomposes and emits methane. Economically, it represents a loss of resources, labor, and money invested in food production. Socially, food waste stands in contrast to the plight of hunger, as edible food is discarded while many people lack sufficient nutrition.
Efforts to reduce food waste include better inventory management, education on proper food storage, and initiatives to redirect surplus food to those in need. Reducing food waste is seen as a critical step toward promoting sustainability and improving food security globally.
FamilyMart launched "tear-eyed" stickers across Japan, encouraging reduction of food waste by making emotional and visual appeals to customers. The initiative started successfully in the Tokai region in October 2024,…