Today, Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE: SEE) joins the efforts of World Environment Day (WED) to increase awareness and encourage action to eliminate food waste.
This annual, one-day awareness initiative is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. With more than 1.3 billion tons of food waste each year1, this year's theme, Think.Eat.Save, focuses on an anti-food waste and food loss campaign that encourages reducing the foodprint throughout the world.
"There is a growing need to address the most pressing issues facing our food supply, including food safety, waste and access," said Dr. Ronald Cotterman, vice president of Sustainability at Sealed Air Corporation. "With regard to food waste, we are more conscious of the impact our actions have on the environment yet our society throws away billions of tons of edible food each year that ends up in our landfills, releasing methane gas into the atmosphere."
Consumers throw away nearly as much food as they eat, the results of which devastate our environment, communities and the economy. The food we waste translates into lost profits for farmers and producers plus higher prices for consumers and reduces food security for those who cannot afford enough to eat. In the U.S. alone, food waste consumes 300 million of barrels of oil each year, is responsible for one quarter of all freshwater consumption and represents an economic loss of $160 billion per year.
Nearly every step in the food production and consumption chain affords the opportunity for waste reduction. Through its SmartLifeTM initiative, Sealed Air has focused its R&D efforts on solutions that eliminate waste throughout the entire value chain.
Food Processors – Preventing contamination and production yield loss and ensuring food is distributed without damage or spoilage to retailers and restaurants.
Retailers – Reducing in-store prep losses, damage and product expiration prior to sale.
Foodservice – Providing meals and ingredients in portions to match varying customer demands and extending food quality life while minimizing product loss during storage.
At Home – Lessening waste by providing consumers more shelf life for perishable products, reducing spoilage or damage during storage and enabling food portioning that helps with meal planning.
"World Environment Day provides the platform to highlight our continued commitment and expertise across the supply chain to help our industry partners enhance their overall sustainability," continued Dr. Cotterman. "Sealed Air continues its mission to provide sustainable solutions for some of today's biggest global issues to ultimately create a better way for life."
