Introduction
Food waste is a global dilemma that transcends borders and affects communities worldwide. Astonishingly, up to one-third of all food produced for human consumption goes to waste yearly, amounting to a staggering 1.3-1.4 billion tonnes globally. In burgeoning urban centers like those in India, this issue looms large, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, modernization, and population growth (Sinha & Tripathi, 2021).
In India, the management of food waste presents a critical environmental challenge. As cities expand and consumption patterns evolve, the volume of discarded food rises, posing significant environmental and public health risks (Sahoo et al., 2024). Traditional disposal methods like landfilling and composting, once relied upon in developing economies, now face scrutiny due to their contributions to toxic gas emissions, foul odors, and environmental degradation (Sinha & Tripathi, 2021). As we delve deeper into understanding food waste management, it becomes clear that defining food waste is pivotal. Whether food discarded before its expiration date or spoiled food at the end of the supply chain, the impact is far-reaching, including wasted resources such as energy, water, and land (Sahoo et al., 2024).
This article aims to shed light on these multifaceted aspects of food waste in India, informing policymakers, researchers, and the public about the critical importance of sustainable practices in securing a food-secure future for future generations.
Cost of Waste
The economic impact of agricultural and food waste in urban India is substantial. Globally, an estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food, valued at approximately 750 billion dollars, is wasted annually (FAO 2017). In India, a country with a population exceeding 1.3 billion, each individual generates about 0.5 kg of organic waste daily (Paulraj et al. 2019; Sahoo et al., 2024). Various sectors contribute significantly to food waste in India, including hostels, supermarkets, apartments, restaurants, cafeterias on airplanes, and the food processing industry.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme's Food Waste Index Report 2021, high-income groups in India produce 90 kg of food waste per capita per year, while middle- and low-income groups generate 68 kg and 63 kg respectively (Chaudhary et al. 2021; Sahoo et al., 2024). These practices result in massive accumulations of food and kitchen waste annually (Sharma et al. 2021).
The sheer volume of food waste—1.3 billion tonnes annually—occupies approximately 28% of the world's agricultural land, equivalent to 1.4 billion hectares of usable cultivable area (Paritosh et al. 2017; Sharma et al. 2021). Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, established by the United Nations, aims to halve global food waste per capita by 2030, recognizing the environmental impacts such as wasted land, water, and energy resources, along with unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions (United Nations 2015; Närvänen et al. 2020; Sahoo et al., 2024).
Impact on Prices
The impact of food waste on urban food prices is a critical issue affecting food security and nutritional diversity, particularly for low-income households. Inflation in food prices has been a persistent challenge in India, exacerbating risks of malnutrition among children and impacting overall dietary quality (Brinkman et al., 2010; Vellakkal et al., 2015; Pingali, Aiyar, Abraham, & Rahman, 2019).
During periods of food price inflation, the cost of essential food items rises, making it harder for families to afford a diverse and nutritious diet. This situation often leads to a shift away from staple cereals towards more expensive protein-rich foods like pulses, meat, and dairy products (Gokarn, 2011; Sekhar et al., 2017). The price volatility of these items, termed "protein inflation," reflects fluctuations in demand and seasonal supply constraints, especially noticeable in fruits and vegetables due to inadequate storage infrastructure.
Conclusion Understanding these sources and implications of food waste underscores the need for effective management strategies to minimize economic losses and environmental impact in urban India (Sahoo et al., 2024). To address these challenges effectively, there is a pressing need for robust food price policies that promote stable prices and ensure affordable access to nutritious alternatives. Also, the current linear system of food waste disposal needs to shift towards a circular economy model to mitigate health and environmental hazards (Sinha & Tripathi, 2021).
References
- Brinkman, H.-J., de Pee, S., Sanogo, I., Subran, L., & Bloem, M. W. (2010). High food prices and the global financial crisis have reduced access to nutritious food and worsened nutritional status and health. The Journal of Nutrition, 140(1), 153S–161S. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.109.110767
- Chaudhary P, Garg S, George T, Shabin M, Saha S, Subodh S, Sinha B (2021). Underreporting and open burning–the two largest challenges for sustainable waste management in India. Resour Conserv Recycl 175:105865
- Paulraj CRKJ, Bernard MA, Raju J, Abdulmajid M (2019). Sustainable waste management through waste to energy technologies in India-opportunities and environmental impacts. Int J Renew Ener Res 9(1):309–342
- Sahoo, A., Dwivedi, A., Madheshiya, P., Kumar, U., Sharma, R. K., & Tiwari, S. (2024). Insights into the management of food waste in developing countries: with special reference to India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(12), 17887-17913.
- FAO (2017) The future of food and agriculture—trends and challenges. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Sharma P, Gaur VK, Sirohi R, Varjani S, Kim SH, Wong JW (2021). Sustainable processing of food waste for production of bio-based products for circular bioeconomy. Bioresour Technol 325:124684
- Pingali, P., Aiyar, A., Abraham, M., & Rahman, A. (2019). Transforming food systems for a rising India (p. 368). Springer Nature.
- Sinha, S., & Tripathi, P. (2021). Trends and challenges in valorisation of food waste in developing economies: A case study of India. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 4, 100162.
- United Nations (2015). Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015
- Vellakkal, S., Fledderjohann, J., Basu, S., Agrawal, S., Ebrahim, S., Campbell, O., ... Stuckler, D. (2015). Food price spikes are associated with increased malnutrition among children in Andhra Pradesh, India. The Journal of Nutrition, 145(8), 1942–1949.https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.21125
Further reading
Environmental Impact of Food Waste in Urban India
Social and Health Implications of Food Waste in Urban India
Policy, Governance, and Technological Innovations in Food Waste Management in Urban India