Roughly a third of the food that's produced is never eaten, and that wasted food is responsible for an estimated 8% of global carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions. Much of the waste takes place higher up in the supply chain — before it reaches households — and this is where upcycling brands aim to make a difference, for example by turning unused coffee berries into natural energy drinks, or leftover bread into vodka.
While some might scoff at yet another label, it's a useful tool to educate consumers and empower them to use their purchasing power to reduce food waste. The Upcycled Certified symbol will start appearing on products in the US in August 2021.
Photo by Lucian Alexe
