Research
Hyder Environmental Benefits Report 2008
FareShare launches environmental ‘calculator’
FareShare has launched a new ‘calculator’ that can measure the environmental benefits of donating surplus food.
Produced in conjunction with Sustainability Victoria and Hyder Consulting, the MS Excel ‘Food Recovery Environmental Benefits Calculator’ can estimate the savings in water, landfill, energy and greenhouse gas emissions of 40 food ingredients.
To produce FareShare’s meals, we collect quality surplus food that would otherwise be wasted - from growers, manufacturers, wholesale markets, caterers, major retailers and hospitality schools - and turn it into nutritious meals for the hungry and homeless. We also redistribute a large quantity of uncooked food directly to charities.
For the first time, businesses who provide surplus food to FareShare can quantify the environmental benefits of their donations.
FareShare has also used the calculator to estimate its own environmental contribution. The results are detailed in a new report titled: ‘Sustainability gains through the recovery of unsold or off-specification food’.
The waste reduction associated with our large-scale food recovery program has significant benefits for the environment.
We estimate that for every kilogram of food that is recovered, FareShare saves 56 litres of water. FareShare’s food recovery activities in 2008-09 are also expected to save 620 tonnes of greenhouse gases – the equivalent to switching off 953 refrigerators a year.
This project was made possible with the support of the Victorian State Government through its Sustainability Fund.
