Tackling Food Waste with Monitoring Systems: A Quick Overview
Food waste is a pressing global issue, with the World Food Programme having an estimated one-fifth of food produced worldwide going to waste each year.
This contributes to economic losses and environmental problems like greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing food waste is vital for enhancing resource efficiency, food security, and sustainability.
The UN aims to cut global food waste by half by 2030, highlighting this as a key Sustainable Development Goal. In line with this, the UAE’s initiative, ne’ma, the UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative focuses on reducing food loss and promoting sustainable food practices.
Food Waste in the Hospitality Industry
In kitchens, up to 50% of food waste can be prevented. This not only saves costs but also reduces the environmental footprint, especially in high-volume settings like hotels and large kitchens. Read our 6 steps to reducing food waste in your operation. Traditional tracking is often burdensome, leading to the evolution of Food Waste Management Systems which incorporate technology to streamline processes.
Benefits of Monitoring Systems
These systems, utilising AI and smart scales, provide valuable insights into food waste. They automatically log discarded food, allowing for significant waste reduction and resource conservation. Key advantages include:
- Cost Savings: Identifying inefficiencies to reduce waste and expenses.
- Environmental Impact: Lowering carbon footprints and conserving resources.
- Operational Insights: Improving inventory and food management.
How Monitoring Systems Operate
- Smart Scales: Accurately measure waste.
- Image Recognition: Analyse waste through AI and computer vision.
- Data Analytics: Dashboards offer detailed waste reports to guide decisions.
- Manual or Automatic processed: Systems can be automatic or manual for data input.
Choosing a System
When selecting a food waste monitoring system, consider a modular setup for flexibility, the suitability of reports, and having dedicated personnel for effective implementation. Budgets of course vary, depending on if the system uses proprietary hardware, is a software only solution with manual input, or a hybrid model whereby manual input (no AI) is coupled with integrated scales for accurate measurement. There is a system that is suitable for all budgets and styles of operations.
With growing environmental concerns, adopting these systems is more critical than ever. They offer not only cost savings but also contribute significantly to sustainability efforts within the food and beverage industry.
Want to learn more? Including our system suggestions and detailed comparisons.
