Food waste in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Food waste
in New Zealand
is one of the many environmental issue
s that is being addressed by industry, individuals and government.
Statistics on exactly how much edible food is wasted is difficult to determine however non-edible food waste is regularly composted either through a collection service, with home compost
ing or with a worm farm. A 2007 survey of households showed that 79% shop in a way to prevent food wastage, 63% carry out home composting and 10% have a worm farm.
Some food waste is used to supply pig farms although pig safety concerns and the need for sorting and unpacking makes it less viable. The Biosecurity (Meat and Food Waste for Pigs) Regulations 2005, passed under the Biosecurity Act 1993
, prohibits feeding pigs with uncooked meat or food that has been in contact with uncooked meat. This is done in order to prevent the spread of diseases to pigs.
In Wellington the Kai to Compost scheme addresses food waste in the city. It was initially a trial scheme with government funding but is now a user pays scheme involving 50 businesses.
Supermarkets do not sell foods that are past their use by date for legal reasons and perceived danger to health. Dumpster diving
, especially at supermarkets, is done to gather discarded food. The Christchurch branch of Food not Bombs
use discarded food to feed people at film nights and markets.
Food waste from ships and aircraft is incinerated as a requirement of the Biosecurity Act 1993
to prevent unwanted pests and diseases from entering New Zealand.
Food waste
Food waste or food loss is food that is discarded or lost uneaten. As of 2011, 1.3 billion tons of food, about one third of the global food production, are lost or wasted annually. Loss and wastage occurs on all steps in the food supply chain...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
is one of the many environmental issue
Environmental issue
Environmental issues are negative aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment. Environmentalism, a social and environmental movement that started in the 1960s, addresses environmental issues through advocacy, education and activism.-Types:...
s that is being addressed by industry, individuals and government.
Statistics on exactly how much edible food is wasted is difficult to determine however non-edible food waste is regularly composted either through a collection service, with home compost
Compost
Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming. At its most essential, the process of composting requires simply piling up waste outdoors and waiting for the materials to break down from anywhere...
ing or with a worm farm. A 2007 survey of households showed that 79% shop in a way to prevent food wastage, 63% carry out home composting and 10% have a worm farm.
Some food waste is used to supply pig farms although pig safety concerns and the need for sorting and unpacking makes it less viable. The Biosecurity (Meat and Food Waste for Pigs) Regulations 2005, passed under the Biosecurity Act 1993
Biosecurity Act 1993
Biosecurity Act 1993 is an Act of Parliament in New Zealand passed in order to prevent pests and other unwanted organisms. It was a world first.Part 5 of the Act provides for a National Pest Management Strategy and Regional Pest Management Strategy....
, prohibits feeding pigs with uncooked meat or food that has been in contact with uncooked meat. This is done in order to prevent the spread of diseases to pigs.
In Wellington the Kai to Compost scheme addresses food waste in the city. It was initially a trial scheme with government funding but is now a user pays scheme involving 50 businesses.
Supermarkets do not sell foods that are past their use by date for legal reasons and perceived danger to health. Dumpster diving
Dumpster diving
Dumpster diving is the practice of sifting through commercial or residential trash to find items that have been discarded by their owners, but that may be useful to the dumpster diver.-Etymology and alternate names:...
, especially at supermarkets, is done to gather discarded food. The Christchurch branch of Food not Bombs
Food Not Bombs
Food Not Bombs is a loose-knit group of independent collectives, serving free vegan and vegetarian food to others. Food Not Bombs' ideology is that myriad corporate and government priorities are skewed to allow hunger to persist in the midst of abundance...
use discarded food to feed people at film nights and markets.
Food waste from ships and aircraft is incinerated as a requirement of the Biosecurity Act 1993
Biosecurity Act 1993
Biosecurity Act 1993 is an Act of Parliament in New Zealand passed in order to prevent pests and other unwanted organisms. It was a world first.Part 5 of the Act provides for a National Pest Management Strategy and Regional Pest Management Strategy....
to prevent unwanted pests and diseases from entering New Zealand.
Food waste volumes
Food waste volumes are not always available since is can be included with organic waste or kitchen waste data. The larger city councils have better data than the smaller councils.External links
- sustainability.govt.nz - Food waste page
- Biosecurity New Zealand - Feeding Food Waste to Pigs