Did you know that if global food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases? When it comes to the food supply chain, there’s plenty of room for improvement. In this blog, we examine how refrigerated vans hire can help companies to reduce food waste and impress customers.
Global goals for food efficiency
The World Cold Chain Summit to Reduce Food Waste was held late last year in Singapore. The conference brought together industry leaders and experts from 33 nations, to discuss scalable and sustainable solutions to improve the cold chain and reduce food waste.
The Summit endorsed the new United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which aims to improve sustainable consumption and production patterns by halving food waste by 2030. In order to achieve this, changes must take place across the entire supply chain, at the retail and consumer levels.
In line with the UN’s goal, cold chain company Carrier called for “the age of food efficiency.”
Food waste on a global level
“One third or more of the food we produce each year is never eaten, yet more than 50% of the wasted food can have its shelf life extended by the cold chain,” said David Appel, president of Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems.
In many emerging economies, refrigerated vans and storage facilities are still a rarity. “Only 10% of worldwide perishable foods are refrigerated today,” explains Appel, “so there is immense opportunity to cut food waste and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions by implementing or improving the cold chain.”
Opportunity for change in developed regions
According to Professor Judith Evans of London South Bank University, 42% of food waste in developed countries occurs at a household level, showing that consumer awareness plays a huge part. However, this places the blame for over half of all food waste elsewhere in the supply chain.
“We know there are many reasons why food is lost or wasted – but among them is the lack of or the underdevelopment of the cold chain,” said John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer at United Technologies Corporation. “Refrigeration is the best technology to ensure food safety for perishable goods and prolong its shelf life.”
Refrigerated van hire in the future
“Energy efficiency has gone far, with more to go,” Mandyck explained. “The potential to extend food supplies, with the help of an improved green cold chain, is extraordinary.”
Food and drink businesses in the UK can use refrigerated van hire to acquire the latest fleet technologies and improve their cold chain.
By using the ideal vehicles to suit everyday operations, companies can keep food and drink products safe and in great condition throughout their journey.
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