News • 19.12.2017

Reducing food waste starts at the grocery store

New statistics show that making a difference might be easier than we think

grapes
Source: birgitH / pixelio.de

Americans waste a shocking amount of food every year—up to 40 percent of all food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten, according to the USDA.

Yet, a recent survey sponsored by Plastics Make it Possible® indicates that an overwhelming majority of Americans (91 percent) say preventing food waste in their homes is "very important." Part of the problem may be that less than one in five Americans (18 percent) is aware of a very effective and affordable tool for helping reduce food waste, and it's already available for many grocery store items: plastic packaging.

Innovative, modern plastic packaging helps protect produce, meats, fish, and dairy products from microbes, moisture, and other invasive agents, offering an affordable solution to keeping food fresh longer.

Take for example, "salad-in-a-bag" packaging. Introduced 20 years ago, this modified atmosphere plastic packaging reduces exposure to oxygen by sealing the food in a package that contains a mixture of gases in controlled proportions that slow spoilage, thus helping reduce food waste. Another example is one of the most widely consumed vegetables in the world: cucumbers. When tightly wrapped in lightweight plastic, cucumbers can last for weeks at a time, prolonging shelf life and consequently reducing wasted food.  

"When you think about the wasted water, energy, cropland, shipping, and production costs that go into producing food that is ultimately thrown away uneaten, you see a more comprehensive picture of the food waste problem in America," said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics at the American Chemistry Council, which sponsors Plastics Make it Possible. "The choices we make at the grocery store can have a big difference in helping reduce food waste. A small amount of plastic packaging can help foods last significantly longer and, in the process, reduce costs and our carbon footprint."

 

Source: Plastics Make it Possible

related articles:

popular articles:

Thumbnail-Photo: SES-imagotag becomes VusionGroup
29.01.2024   #software applications #artificial intelligence

SES-imagotag becomes VusionGroup

A new identity highlighting the broader portfolio of innovative solutions
developed by the Group to solve the major challenges of physical commerce

SES-imagotag (Euronext: SESL, FR0010282822), the global leader in digital solutions for physical commerce, today announced that it has changed its name to VusionGroup. This new name embodies the various product lines and solutions that have enhanced ...

Thumbnail-Photo: EuroCIS Germany next stop for ITL’s cash handling and age verification...
13.02.2024   #Tech in Retail #artificial intelligence

EuroCIS Germany next stop for ITL’s cash handling and age verification solutions

Innovative Technology Ltd (ITL) will be joining retail suppliers and industry professionals at ‘EuroShop 2024 – the leading trade fair for retail technology’ which takes place in Düsseldorf, Germany from ...

Thumbnail-Photo: iXtenso tests: REWE Pick&Go
13.03.2024   #app #customer experience

iXtenso tests: REWE Pick&Go

New test store in Düsseldorf - is the concept convincing?

REWE has launched its Pick&Go concept (on a trial basis) in Düsseldorf. We tested the store!

Thumbnail-Photo: Ask the Bot: generative AI in retail
02.01.2024   #Tech in Retail #food retail

Ask the Bot: generative AI in retail

Revolution in retail: the era of generative AI and AI bots

They are able to analyse data, write product descriptions, answer shoppers’ questions or write codes...

Thumbnail-Photo: EuroCIS 2024 - technology special
11.12.2023   #online trading #e-commerce

EuroCIS 2024 - technology special

The latest technology solutions and trends for you and the retail sector

At EuroCIS 2022 from February 27 to 29, 2024, the Leading Trade Fair for Retail Technology, we will be looking at all the important and current topics relating to technology in retail: AI and Machine Learning, Payment, Connected Retail, Seamless Store and Smart Energy Management and many more.

Thumbnail-Photo: Classic POS reimagined
14.03.2024   #POS systems #printers

Classic POS reimagined

Introducing the new generation CT-S801III and CT-S851III
POS printer range.

Citizen Systems launches new CT-S801III ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Payment as a success factor: more than just paying...
15.01.2024   #Tech in Retail #payment systems

Payment as a success factor: more than just paying

Flashback to 1994: databases and ERP systems, first commercial websites, mobile phones with colour displays, CD-ROMs, Java as a programming language ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Trigo and Netto Announce Autonomous Supermarket with Real-Time Receipt...
24.01.2024   #Tech in Retail #artificial intelligence

Trigo and Netto Announce Autonomous Supermarket with Real-Time Receipt Capability.

‘Final step’ in frictionless shopping drives trust by enabling consumers to view their receipts BEFORE leaving the store
Full size 800m2 grocery supermarket powered by computer vision AI is Europe’s largest retrofitted frictionless store

Trigo, a leading provider of AI computer vision technology that transforms traditional brick-and-mortar retail outlets into digital smart stores, and discount supermarket chain Netto Marken-Discount (also known as Netto), have partnered to launch ...

Thumbnail-Photo: New German vending partner for ITL
30.11.2023   #Tech in Retail #cash management

New German vending partner for ITL

Innovative Technology (ITL) have recently announced Bernd Boddart as their latest trading partner

Bernd Boddart will be supplying their cash validation and biometric age verification solutions to the German vending market. Bernd Boddart, based in Mönchengladbach, Germany, have 30 years of experience in the field of coffee machines, table ...

Thumbnail-Photo: The SALTO WECOSYSTEM: A new brand DNA for the future of advanced access...
13.02.2024   #Tech in Retail #access control

The SALTO WECOSYSTEM: A new brand DNA for the future of advanced access

The SALTO WECOSYSTEM embodies the commitment to innovation of each SALTO company and demonstrates ...

Supplier

Innovative Technology Ltd.
Innovative Technology Ltd.
Innovative Business Park
OL1 4EQ Oldham
Zebra Technologies Germany GmbH
Zebra Technologies Germany GmbH
Ernst-Dietrich-Platz 2
40882 Ratingen
SALTO Systems GmbH
SALTO Systems GmbH
Schwelmer Str. 245
42389 Wuppertal
VusionGroup SA
VusionGroup SA
55 place Nelson Mandela
90000 Nanterre