Up to 40% of food produced globally is wasted
and we don’t think that’s okay.
Here at Drop Bear HQ we’re continuously working to improve our impact on the environment and we were really shocked with this figure of the total food wasted in the world – we’re sure you are too, right? So, that got us to thinking, what can we do about this? How can we, Team Drop Bear, personally reduce our wastage and in turn, reduce our carbon footprint? How can we share the facts and help our customers to make even more of a difference?
So here you have it! A Drop Bear blog detailing what we’ve learned and our Team’s ‘top tips’ for reducing wastage this festive season!
Starting with the Facts
Globally, the production of food accounts for up to 37% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and requires significant resources including land, energy, and water. However, up to 40% is wasted and in the UK, 70% of the total food waste (post-farm gate) comes from households.
It’s probably no surprise to hear that during the festive season, as spending on food and drink increases, so does the waste. It takes a quick ‘Google’ to find article upon article of the negative environmental impact of the Christmas period, in particular, Christmas food. Research from Unilever in 2014 suggests that 4.2 million Christmas dinners are wasted in the UK. That’s broken down to 263,000 turkeys, 7.5 million mince pies, 740,000 portions of Christmas pudding, 17.2 million Brussels sprouts, 11.9 million carrots and 11.3 million roast potatoes thrown away. WOW.
What can we do?
Okay, so once we got over the shock of these facts, we put our thinking caps on and came up with a couple of (seemingly simple) habits to help reduce these numbers:
1. Buy less / Use ya’ freezer / Donate
Easier said than done? Most of us a probably all guilty of buying a little too much food over Christmas. So, how do we do this?
First things first, the Team will all be making a conscious effort with their family and friends to buy only what’s required AND to check all ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ dates when we do buy. We know we’re good on the beer front – Drop Bear Beer always has at least 9 months best before, no running out our disposal there, phew!
Secondly, we’ll be checking our fridge supplies often and if we see a date coming up, we’ll try to cook the food (see tip 2!) OR it’ll be heading to the freezer. On that note, if we’ve got no room in our freezer it’s likely veggies and fruits could be stored in a box in the dry outside (thanks freezing UK winter weather, we knew you’d be good for something!).
Thirdly, as we’ll be keeping a close eye on the fridge supplies, if we can’t eat it or can’t freeze/store it, we’ll be looking at how we can donate or offer it elsewhere; to our neighbours, friends, family and local homeless shelters and food banks.
2. Pair ya’ leftovers with your favourite Drop Bear Beer
A seemingly obvious way to avoid food waste is to eat our leftovers! Bubble & Squeak is such a classic right?! A fantastic and delicious way to use up those leftover veggies and potatoes, but have you ever thought of adding a splash of your favourite Drop Bear Beer to your recipe? Oh yes!! Fancy a little smokiness to enhance the flavour? Add in a splash of our Bonfire Stout to your mash. Fancy a little zestiness? Add in a splash of our Yuzu Pale Ale. Game changer!
What’s more, each of our top rated non-alcoholic craft beers can perfectly compliment your food.
Can’t decide between sweet and salty? Are you heading to the fridge and throwing together an eclectic assortment of party food? You need our staple New World Lager with it’s refreshing, subtle sweet tones of honey and biscuity deliciousness.
Got ya’self a salt craving? Go for the Yuzu Pale Ale to crunch away with your Christmas crisps or brussel sprouts and vegan pancetta.
Like a bit of spice? Our Tropical IPA is great with any heat, perfect for those leftover curries!
Wondering what to pair with all of that rich, delicious, cheese and chocolate? Or perhaps you’re making a stew? Opt for the Bonfire Stout!
3. Recycle ♻️
When we increase our food and drink consumption, it means an increase on the packaging that enters our households too. That’s why our third tip is recycling.
Back in September this year, we opted to switch our award-winning alcohol-free craft beer from bottles to aluminium cans. Did you know, it’s reported that over 500 million canned drinks are sold over the festive period? What’s more, recycling just one of these aluminium cans saves enough energy to run a set of Christmas tree lights for two whole hours! WOW!
As local household recycling varies across the UK, the Team will all be making more of a conscious effort to know our recycling challenges and choose to buy accordingly. The good news is, our Drop Bear beer and merchandise packaging is 100% recyclable and plastic free and we’re planting a tree for every order online between 1st November and 31st December 2021 to help us all to shop more sustainbly!
And there you have it! Will you join the Drop Bear Team in helping to reduce food wastage this Christmas?
