Littering is defined as improper waste disposal. Littering can occur either intentionally or unintentionally, but both have negative environmental consequences. While 19.9% of litter on land is caused by unsecured items in the back of trucks or trash cans, the vast majority of litter is created on purpose.
Chemicals and microparticles are released as litter degrades. These chemicals are not natural to the environment and can thus cause a variety of issues. These toxins can enter the soil and freshwater sources, affecting both humans and animals. Litter is responsible for 60% of water pollution.
According to researchers, more than 40% of the world’s litter is burned in the open air, which can emit toxic emissions. These emissions can cause respiratory problems as well as other health issues. Every day, animals are the innocent victims of litter. Over one million animals die each year as a result of ingesting or becoming entangled in improperly discarded trash, according to researchers.
More importantly, edible food waste should be avoided where possible and inedible food waste properly handled to avoid constituting more environmental challenge due to potential production of methane during food waste degradation. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent at warming than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Methane has accounted for roughly 30% of global warming since pre-industrial times and is proliferating faster than at any other time since record keeping began in the 1980s.
In addition, when food waste is not properly handled, it could lead to infestation. Recently, heritage leaders in Edinburgh warned of an increase in rat infestations as a result of a refuse workers’ strike, which resulted in mountains of food waste, overflowing bins, and rubbish accumulating in the city centre. The city’s refuse workers went on strike last week in an attempt to force Scottish council leaders to improve on a “derisory” 3% pay offer.
The majority of the litter seen left on the road and sidewalks are majorly food waste from homes, passersby, tourists etc. Efforts are being made by individuals to clean up the waste, but more work needs to be done. The strike is meant to last for 12 days ended last week, Tuesday 30th August 2022, but there are hopes of talks which could lead to a settlement hopefully.
What if we have a more sustainable solution that can enhance the recovery of bio-nutrient from inedible food waste to improve local food production and ensure that more people get access to good food? iDigest is an onsite food processor with built-in functions that supports a range of food waste needs https://intellidigest.com/products/idigest/.
The iDigest converts food waste into a nutrient that may be used in sustainable food production. Idigest is user-friendly, odourless, IoT and AI-enabled. iDigest can be used in residential environments, industrial and commercial places. Due to innovative programming, the iDigest has been linked to the World Food Tracker app https://intellidigest.com/services/food-waste-tracker/ which helps provide more knowledge about food waste and links to farmers using the nutrients from food waste to grow products locally.
As we move towards the year 2030, there is a need to also move towards sustainable, simple and practical solutions for food waste that enhances overall food system sustainability.