Every year, huge amounts of food end up in the bin in Germany - but together we can change that! Food waste affects us all, but it's not just a challenge - it's also an opportunity to act more sustainably and responsibly. In this blog post, we show you how we at Seeberger are actively tackling food waste - and how you too can be part of the solution.
Food waste in Germany: an overview
In Germany, after a ReportAccording to the Federal Statistical Office, around 11 million tons of food are wasted every year. This corresponds to around a third of total food production. According to a WWF study the extent of food waste is all the more worrying when you consider that it causes around 18 million tons of CO2 equivalents. This corresponds to around 4% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. Fruit and vegetables are particularly affected, but baked goods, dairy products and meat also often end up in the bin. There are many reasons for this: incorrect planning when shopping, overly generous portion sizes and ignorance of best-before dates are just a few examples. Much of this food would still be edible and could easily be reused.
The consequences of this waste are serious. In addition to the moral aspect of losing valuable food, food waste also has a negative impact on our environment, as enormous amounts of water, energy and other resources are used to produce the food that is thrown away. According to the WWF, around 50 percent of all water used in agriculture is used for food that is ultimately never consumed. In addition, the decomposition of food in waste produces greenhouse gases that further fuel climate change. So there is definitely a need for action.
Seeberger in the fight against food waste: taking responsibility
At Seeberger, sustainability has always been at the heart of everything we do - and that naturally includes handling food responsibly. From cultivation and production to packaging and logistics, we work carefully to make the best possible use of resources and minimize waste.
- Holistic use of our raw materials: When selecting our suppliers, we attach great importance to the efficient and sustainable use of raw materials. An illustrative example of this is the processing of leftovers in the production of our dried fruit, in particular our Fairtrade pineapples. The peel of the fruit is put to good use by our local producers, for example as fuel or compost for natural fertilization.
- Efficient production and logistics:Through precise planning and modern technologies, we ensure that hardly any losses occur during production. Our logistics processes are designed to keep food losses along the supply chain as low as possible, so the proportion of our food waste is less than one percent. Products that have reached the end of their shelf life but are still edible are donated where possible and broken goods are offered at a discount in our Seeberger Genusswelt, among other places.
- Packaging: Our packaging plays a key role in preventing food waste. Our packaging is designed to optimally protect the contents and extend shelf life. We are also constantly working on innovative packaging solutions that are not only sustainable but also practical for our consumers, such as our popcorn in new paper packaging.
- Partnerships and collaborations: To make our efforts against food waste even more effective, we work together with various partners. These include organizations that are committed to rescuing food, such as the Tafel Deutschland
The food bank: saving food and helping people together
One of the most important organizations in the fight against food waste in Germany is Tafel Deutschland. The Tafel collects surplus but still edible food from supermarkets, bakeries and other businesses and distributes it to people in need. Every year, over 265,000 tons of food are saved from destruction and put to good use. The work of the food banks is not only an important contribution to reducing food waste, but also provides a valuable social service by supporting people who cannot afford a sufficient and balanced diet themselves.
Through this work, the food banks also make an important contribution to climate protection. Every kilogram of food saved means a saving of resources and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that would be produced during disposal. Seeberger supports this important work through donations and cooperation with the food bank, helping to ensure that less food ends up in the bin and instead goes to where it is urgently needed.
Together against food waste
Foodwaste geht uns alle an – und gemeinsam können wir viel erreichen. Bei Seeberger sind wir uns unserer Verantwortung bewusst und setzen uns aktiv dafür ein, Lebensmittelverschwendung zu reduzieren. Doch auch jede:r Einzelne von uns kann einen Beitrag leisten: durch bewussteres Einkaufen, richtige Lagerung und kreative Resteverwertung.
Um konkret die wichtige Arbeit der Tafeln in Deutschland zu unterstützen, haben wir diesen Herbst eine Aktion ins Leben gerufen: gemeinsam gut. Unter dem Motto „Snack für nen‘ guten Zweck“ spenden wir pro verkaufter Aktionspackung im Handel eine kleine Packung an die Tafeln in Deutschland. Seid dabei, mehr Infos zur Aktion gibt es hier: Seeberger gemeinsam gut! (gemeinsam-gut.de)