New tool to help cities quantify greenhouse gas emissions from food waste

A new tool launched by the World Resources Institute India (WRI India) allows cities, businesses, and residential communities to quantify greenhouse gas emissions linked to food waste. The India Food Waste GHG Emission Estimation Tool provides a method for calculating emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of food waste, from collection and transportation to treatment and disposal. Users can enter specific data, including the amount of food waste generated, the distance transported, the type of vehicles used, and the methods employed for treating or disposing of the waste. This approach helps identify areas where emissions can be reduced through targeted interventions. India faces a growing challenge with food waste, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. According to recent estimates, the country generated approximately 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste in 2022-23, a number projected to surge to 165 million tonnes by 2030 and 436 million tonnes by 2050. Food waste alone was responsible for around 106.62 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions in 2023. These figures highlight the urgent need for effective measures to manage food waste and mitigate its environmental impact. The tool addresses a critical gap in current waste management practices. While India's Solid Waste Management Rules encourage the segregation and decentralised processing of wet waste, food waste is still treated as part of the larger category of biodegradable waste. There is currently no dedicated framework for assessing the climate impact of food waste or tracking related emissions. The India Food Waste GHG Emission Estimation Tool fills this void by offering a structured approach to evaluating emissions from each stage of the food waste management process. Designed primarily for urban local bodies, bulk waste generators, resident welfare associations, retailers, and food service providers, the tool is accessible via an Excel-based format. It allows users to input varying levels of detail depending on the availability of data. For instance, users can specify the type of vehicles used during transportation, the distances covered, and the disposal methods employed. The tool incorporates India-specific emission factors for different vehicle and fuel types to accurately estimate transport-related emissions. Emissions from treatment and disposal processes are calculated using internationally accepted emission factors. Practices such as composting, biogas generation, vermicomposting, landfilling, open dumping, and sewer disposal are included in these calculations. However, since India-specific emission factors are not yet available for all treatment methods, the tool relies on global standards until more localized data becomes accessible. Landfilling is identified as the most emission-intensive disposal method, generating approximately 6.528 tonnes of CO₂e per tonne of dry matter annually. Conversely, reducing food waste at the source and redistributing surplus edible food are highlighted as low-emission solutions. The development of the tool was informed by WRI India's collaboration with the Municipal Corporations of Pune and Indore. These partnerships aimed to create a practical resource that supports local governments in integrating food waste considerations into their climate action plans. By strengthening waste management strategies and facilitating emissions reporting, the tool is intended to aid in the formulation of more effective policies and initiatives targeting food waste reduction. WRI India emphasized that the tool will undergo periodic updates as additional India-specific data and emission factors become available. This ensures that the tool remains relevant and accurate as new research emerges and local conditions evolve. The initiative underscores the importance of addressing food waste as a key component of climate change mitigation efforts in India.