Let's Reduce Food Waste Habits!

Food waste is a serious problem because our habit of wasting food waste turns out to have a significant impact from environmental aspects. Facts obtained from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) state that globally, one third of food, which is estimated at a total of 1.3 billion tons, is wasted every year. Then, data obtained from UN Environment shows that if food waste can be compared with countries in the world, the result will be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States. 

Jessop, Sparks, and Graham-Rowe (2014: 15) explain that food waste contributes to producing methane gas where this gas has the potential as a greenhouse gas, increasing global warming 34 times more than carbon dioxide gas, high demand on agricultural land that must clear trees in the forest, wasting available sources of water supply. Not only from the environmental aspect, there are other aspects that are harmed by the food waste phenomenon. Food waste can also cause an increase in food prices, food becomes difficult to obtain, especially for the poor, resulting in malnutrition. Meanwhile, from the economic aspect, there is a waste of money, especially if the food is not consumed and then thrown away. 

In Indonesia, a survey conducted by WWF Indonesia shows that 91% of people do not understand that the way individuals consume, produce and dispose of food is the biggest threat to planet Earth. The survey also found worrying among young people. 11% of youth aged 18-24 do not think that food waste poses any threat to nature, while more than 40% consider the threat to be less significant. Only groups of people aged over 55 have greater awareness of this problem. 

Various parties have organized campaign activities regarding food waste, both on social media, newspapers, banners, and television as an effort to reduce the amount of food waste that is piling up and provide education to the public about the serious threat of the food waste phenomenon. The attitude that a person has towards the behavior of reducing food waste is also expected to be able to change interest in reducing food waste. The phenomenon of attitudes in general has to do with past experiences, current situations, and by our expectations for the future can be a factor that determines a person to be able to arouse his interest to reduce the habit of wasting food.