It’s a fact: about 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted globally every year. That’s nearly one-third of all food produced – enough to feed 3 billion people.
Additionally, food waste increases greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10% and results in food insecurity, which affects a third of the global population. While billions of people go hungry, we continue to waste food by the minute, and it’s a problem that affects every part of the supply chain—from farms to grocery stores to our own homes.
But what if technology could help turn this problem around?
The good news is that new innovations are already stepping in to revolutionize how we handle food and conserve resources.
In this blog, we’ll explore eight cutting-edge food waste technologies and how they are helping us build a more sustainable future.
8 Innovations That Can Help You Reduce Food Waste
From advanced sensor systems to blockchain technology, some of the latest advancements are transforming the food waste management field.
Let’s take a closer look at the solutions that can help us reduce our food waste.
1. AI and Smart Technology
Artificial intelligence is reshaping many industries, and food management is one of them. AI-powered algorithms help retailers optimize inventory management and consumers – to stay away from over-purchasing. This new precision of demand forecasting ensures that food products are stocked and sold more efficiently.
Example: Wasteless is a platform that uses dynamic pricing based on product freshness. This allows supermarkets to offer discounts on products nearing their expiration dates.
The result? Retailers can sell products before they spoil, reducing waste and increasing revenue.
2. Sensor Technologies
Sensor systems monitor conditions such as temperature and humidity. In turn, food remains fresh for longer, as you know, when it is close to spoiling. This is an extremely helpful tool in storing and tracking perishable goods such as dairy, meat, and cooked food.
Also, did you know that pairing sensor tech with blockchain helps with transparency and traceability in the food supply chain? By tracking every stage of food’s journey, retailers can ensure both quality and sustainability.
Example: Fresh-key is a smart label system that tracks the freshness of packaged meat and produce. The label changes color as food approaches its expiration date, helping both retailers and consumers make better decisions about when to sell and use the product.
3. Food Preservation Innovations
Techniques like solar-powered dehydration are extending the shelf life of surplus crops and reducing waste at the production stage. This approach is particularly valuable in regions where with limited access to refrigeration as it helps store food for longer periods.
Additionally, by preserving food at the source, farmers can secure additional income and reduce food shortages.
Example: S4S Technologies converts surplus farm produce into dried goods through solar-powered dehydrators. This way, food can be stored for longer and sold in local markets. The solution is especially beneficial in the rural areas of India, where post-harvest food loss is a major issue.
4. Hydroponic and Vertical Farming
Hydroponic and vertical farming systems bring food production closer to urban centers, which means less is spent on transportation. This new way of growing fresh produce in controlled environments also minimizes overproduction by growing only what is needed, helping retailers respond to demand in real time and harvest produce right before it’s sold.
Example: Infarm, a vertical farming company, installs mini farms with controlled climate in supermarkets. This not only allows consumers to buy fresh, locally grown produce but it also reduces food miles, reducing the waste generated during transportation.
5. Blockchain for Transparency
Blockchain technology tracks food across supply chains, offering complete transparency from farm to table. This allows businesses to identify inefficiencies and sources of waste, ensuring that food is handled optimally at each stage of its journey.
Moreover, blockchain helps reduce food recalls and increase consumer confidence in the overall food quality.
Example: IBM Food Trust is a blockchain platform used by major retailers like Walmart to trace food from producers to consumers. This improved traceability helps companies pinpoint exactly where spoilage or mishandling occurs, helping to reduce waste and improve food safety.
6. Food Redistribution Platforms
Food redistribution platforms connect businesses with surplus food to individuals and organizations in need. This creates a win-win situation as producers get to reduce waste while those in need get food at very low prices or for free.
Such platforms also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint as they divert food from landfills, where it would otherwise decompose and release the greenhouse gas methane.
Example: Too Good To Go is an app that offers surplus food at discounted prices to both consumers and businesses. By buying food that would otherwise go to waste, users can enjoy affordable meals while reducing waste.
7. On-Farm Processing and Preservation
On-farm processing technologies allow farmers to convert surplus or “ugly” produce into marketable, non-perishable products. This reduces waste at the production level while creating new revenue streams for farmers.
Additionally, this can empower smallholder farmers to make the most of their crops and boost local economies.
Example: Full Harvest is a platform that connects farms with food companies, turning surplus produce into ingredients for products like juices and snacks. This not only reduces food waste but also creates a profitable outlet for what might otherwise be discarded.
8. Eco-Friendly Packaging
Eco-friendly packaging is made of biodegradable or compostable materials. This reduces plastic waste and also helps prolong the shelf life of food. Packaging innovations are key to reducing food spoilage and environmental harm.
Example: Apeel Sciences has developed a plant-based, edible coating that extends the shelf life of fresh produce without the need for plastic packaging. This coating is made of leftover products like grape skins. This can extend the shelf life of produce by 5 times.
Food truck offers free food for earthquake-affected tourists in Lombok(Opens in a new browser tab)
Conclusion: Embrace Technology for a Greener Future
Technology is offering practical solutions to one of the world’s most critical challenges—food waste. By embracing these innovative solutions, we can significantly reduce waste, save resources, and build a more sustainable future.
Start exploring and supporting these solutions today and be a part of the global movement toward a waste-free world.