Gradually the uses of waste stream materials and ingredients are proliferating in all sectors.
So far the United Nations has published the most comprehensive assessment of food waste, finding that a third of the worldwide food is wasted.
In 2019, 931 million tons were wasted - 17% of the total food available to consumers - and the food wasted at home reaches an average of 74 kg per capita each year worldwide.
Companies are responding to the problem on a large scale. In the food and beverage industry, Kroger has committed to invest $ 2.5 million in food waste startups through its Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation.
Givaudan Active Beauty uses wild blueberry seeds, a byproduct of anthocyanin extraction, while the Weekday's Studio Made fashion collection uses natural dyes based on pomegranate, avocado and red onion peel.
Coffee is a key ingredient today: the Shanghai Manner Coffee is decorated with furniture made from recycled coffee grounds and the Vietnamese shoe brand ShoeX has expanded the use of coffee beans to make biodegradable and reusable face masks.
Possible course of action:
bring waste stream sourcing into product development, identify opportunities within your manufacturing process or work with suppliers.
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