Toidukadu

Toidukadu is a term used in Estonian to describe food waste. It encompasses all food that is discarded by individuals, businesses, and institutions. This includes food that is uneaten at home, surplus food from restaurants and retailers, and food that spoils before it can be consumed.

Globally, food waste is a significant environmental and economic issue. When food is wasted, the resources used to produce it, such as water, energy, and land, are also wasted. Additionally, food waste in landfills decomposes anaerobically, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Efforts to reduce toidukadu are gaining traction in Estonia and worldwide. These efforts include promoting better food storage practices, encouraging consumers to buy only what they need, and supporting initiatives that redistribute surplus food to those in need. Composting and anaerobic digestion are also methods used to manage unavoidable food waste, turning it into valuable resources like fertilizer or biogas. Awareness campaigns and educational programs aim to inform the public about the impact of food waste and empower them to make more sustainable choices.