Food waste: causes, impact, and solutions
How food waste impacts people, the planet, and packaging
At Hydropac, we understand that keeping food safe doesn’t end at the packaging—it extends to how food is produced, stored, transported, and consumed. Every step in the food supply chain plays a role in determining whether food ends up on a plate or in the bin. And when that food is wasted, so too are the energy, water, labour, and packaging used to bring it to market.
Food waste is more than a consumer problem—it’s a system-wide challenge with far-reaching environmental, social, and economic consequences. Globally, we discard over 1.3 billion tonnes of edible food each year, releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and worsening food insecurity across vulnerable communities.
In this article, we’ll explore the key causes of food waste, its environmental and logistical impact, and the solutions emerging at every level—from farming and distribution to retail and households. We’ll also explain how Hydropac’s temperature-controlled packaging plays a critical role in extending shelf life and reducing food spoilage across the cold chain.
Hydropac offers every customer a customized solution for chilled and conditioned shipping. For example, we help a customer with limited freezing capacity to deliver gel packs frozen and ready to use, and we can manufacture almost all shapes and sizes of cooling elements. As a customer, you come first: we are here to help you.
The causes of food waste across the supply chain
Food waste arises at every stage of the supply chain—from agricultural production and processing to retail and household consumption. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), roughly one-third of all food produced globally is never eaten, representing a major inefficiency in both logistics and resource use.
At the retail level, cosmetic standards, inaccurate demand forecasting, and bulk promotions contribute to unsold or spoiled stock. In food services, overproduction and portion sizes play a key role. Meanwhile, at the household level, a lack of planning, improper storage, and confusion over date labelling are among the key drivers of food waste.
Source: https://www.fao.org/food-loss-and-food-waste/en/
Environmental consequences of food wastage
The environmental footprint of uneaten food is staggering. Food waste accounts for approximately 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. When organic waste ends up in landfills, it produces methane—a greenhouse gas up to 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Additionally, the wasted use of water, land, and energy in growing, packaging, and transporting food amplifies the strain on already limited natural resources. In the UK alone, WRAP estimates that 6.6 million tonnes of food are wasted annually in households, with a significant share consisting of fresh produce that could have been saved through better cold chain logistics.
Source: https://wrap.org.uk/resources/report/citizens-food-waste-tracker-survey
Understanding food waste behaviours at the consumer level
Behavioural studies highlight the role of individual routines in generating food waste. Secondary analysis shows that post-meal disposal and excessive meal preparation are among the top contributors to household food waste. A lack of time and awareness leads to over-purchasing, while food safety misconceptions prompt premature disposal.
Effective interventions—such as meal planning tools, clearer labelling, and education on proper food storage—have shown promise in reducing food waste. Experts in food safety recommend increased use of refrigerated and insulated packaging to extend freshness, particularly for perishable food items.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095032932200089X
The role of packaging in food waste prevention
Modern packaging plays a critical role in extending shelf life and preventing spoilage. Proper packaging protects against temperature fluctuations, contamination, and premature degradation. For chilled and frozen goods, insulation is essential in avoiding spoilage due to heat exposure during transport.
At Hydropac, our insulated food packaging solutions are engineered to maintain optimal temperatures from warehouse to doorstep. By offering high thermal resistance and customisable sizes, we help food retailers and suppliers reduce waste, improve compliance with food safety standards, and increase consumer satisfaction.
Source: https://www.packagingeurope.com/food-waste-and-packaging/
Conclusion: reducing food waste through smart packaging solutions
Tackling food waste requires a systemic approach—one that addresses both the root causes across the supply chain and the behavioural habits of end consumers. From poor forecasting at retail to misinformed disposal at the household level, waste occurs for a wide range of reasons. But each point of waste also presents an opportunity for intervention.
As experts in temperature-controlled packaging, Hydropac plays a key role in helping businesses preserve food quality throughout transport and storage. By mitigating spoilage risks caused by temperature fluctuations, our insulated solutions support food retailers, producers, and delivery services in their mission to reduce food losses and meet sustainability targets.
While no single solution will eliminate food waste entirely, smart packaging is a powerful enabler of change. When paired with education, technology, and data-driven decision-making, it offers a path towards a more efficient, resilient, and environmentally responsible food system—one where good food doesn’t go to waste.
