The Hidden Impact of Food Waste and How You Can Make a Difference

You might not think twice when scraping leftovers into the bin or tossing that forgotten bag of spinach, but what if every piece of wasted food carried a hidden cost? Behind every discarded meal lies wasted water, energy, and labour—not to mention the environmental damage caused when food rots in landfills.

The truth is, food waste is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, yet it’s something we can all do something about. By making small, intentional changes—like composting—we can turn food waste from a problem into a solution.

The Shocking Truth About Food Waste

Every year, South Africa wastes over 10 million tonnes of food—nearly a third of all food produced. This isn't just an economic or ethical issue; it’s an environmental crisis.

1. Food Waste and Climate Change

When food decomposes in a landfill, it doesn’t break down the way it would in a compost heap. Instead, it rots without oxygen, releasing methane—a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In fact, if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, behind only the USA and China.

2. The Water Footprint of Food Waste

Think of a simple apple. It might not seem like a big deal to throw one away, but that apple took about 70 litres of water to grow. Now imagine the impact of throwing away an entire meal! Every time food is wasted, so is the water, soil nutrients, and energy used to produce it.

3. Wasting Food Means Wasting Money

Households spend thousands of rands on groceries every year, yet much of it ends up in the bin. If you were to add up the cost of every uneaten meal, every spoiled vegetable, and every expired yogurt, you’d likely be shocked at how much money is being wasted—money that could have been saved or better spent elsewhere.

How You Can Make a Difference

The good news? Reducing food waste is easy once you become aware of the problem. Here are some practical steps to take:

1. Plan Your Meals and Buy Only What You Need

• Before shopping, make a list based on meals you plan to cook.

• Stick to your list to avoid impulse buys that might go uneaten.

• Store fresh produce properly to extend its lifespan.

2. Get Creative with Leftovers

• Leftover veggies? Make a soup or stir-fry.

• Overripe fruit? Blend it into a smoothie or bake it into muffins.

• Stale bread? Turn it into croutons or breadcrumbs.

3. Compost Your Food Scraps Instead of Throwing Them Away

Not all food waste can be avoided—things like peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells are inevitable. But instead of sending them to a landfill, composting transforms them into nutrient-rich soil that benefits your garden.

Composting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your environmental impact—and you don’t need a big garden to do it! Whether you have a backyard compost bin or join a compost collection service, you’ll be making a huge difference by keeping food waste out of landfills.

Turning Regret into Action

It’s easy to feel guilty when you realize how much food goes to waste. But rather than dwelling on the problem, we have the power to change the way we think about food. By making simple, conscious choices—planning meals, getting creative with leftovers, and composting scraps—we can turn food waste into something meaningful.

Every banana peel, every coffee ground, every vegetable scrap you compost adds value back into the environment. Instead of waste, you’re creating healthy soil, stronger plants, and a more sustainable future. And that’s something to be proud of.