How do we create a circular food industry?

Focused on the pet food industry, this production model aims to minimize food waste as much as possible by maximizing the use of co-products, such as feeding livestock. Today it is already known that the optimal use of ecological remains requires animals that consume them with bodies capable of converting said remains into new food of animal origin. The proposal underlying the initiatives is to stop seeing certain by-products, such as meat ones, as 'waste' and begin to perceive them as a source of food or nutrients for certain animals or stages of a food production chain.

But what else can be done to minimize food waste and promote fully circular global food systems? Industry experts say it is about optimizing both information and supply chains. Various organizations are researching how to turn food waste into animal feed, as 14.7 million tons could be safely used for animal feed instead of going to landfills only in the United States.

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In the case of pigs, for instance, they have a large stomach, which allows them to turn food by-products and waste into meat, while ruminants can turn grasslands into milk and meat. On the other hand, poultry is possible by-product converters in meat and eggs, but they require a high-quality intake to achieve it. Many environmentalists also see potential benefits in a circular food system that recycles potential waste products through livestock production.

For its part, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that more than 13% of world food production loses between the production and wholesale stages of the supply chain, with an additional 17% wasted in the final sale instance to the final consumer. Additionally, food loss and waste contribute between 8% and 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 'We need to work on recovering resources for circular food production.'

'We need to work on recovering resources for circular food production.' 

Booming Trends

Some aspects of circular feeding could be seen as in full swing, such as the rise of interest in insects as a source of protein, algae, and even single-celled organisms to recover an even higher percentage of nutrients from produce that might, otherwise, be lost.

The truth is that, in general terms, a great openness is easily perceived on the part of livestock producers and breeders in general, who tend to be predisposed to adopt any safe, effective, and affordable ingredient. Therefore, increasing the adoption of circular feeding systems depends, to a large extent, on factors such as accessibility.

However, nutrient recovery is not new in animal feed. Recycling waste from food processing and other industries to create feed ingredients is critical, and repurposed feed, which would otherwise be inedible to humans, provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional, resource-intensive raw materials. Working in circularity directly impacts on:

People

Currently, less than 2% of valuable nutrients are recycled in food by-products and waste. By reusing them as fertilizer, animal feed, or raw materials for textiles and plastics, we can spur innovation, open new ways for business, and reduce environmental damage. This shift towards resource utilization presents immense opportunities for sustainability, employment, and economic prosperity.

Nature

We need to redirect the industry toward regenerative food production. For that, we should re-evaluate what and how we grow. Currently, more than 75% of food derives from only 12 plant and five animal species due to agricultural industrialization. Failure to address this problem will have profound consequences both for human and planet health.
By diversifying farming systems and ensuring a symbiotic relationship with nature, we can mitigate these risks and foster a more sustainable and resilient future.

Weather

Minimizing food loss and waste is crucial. At all stages, from field to table, much food is discarded nowadays. If food waste were a country, it would rank as the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases worldwide! By addressing this issue, we can make significant progress in mitigating climate change and creating a more sustainable future.

It is about placing more and more emphasis on circularity in food systems to minimize waste and create a closedloop model where all resources are used efficiently and sustainably. In this paradigm, waste from one stage of the food supply chain would be reused as a resource for another, creating a continuous cycle of use and reuse.

'Unleashing the potential of commonly wasted resources is essential and urgent.'

Will we be able to create a circular economy for our industry?

The waste generated by society will decrease in response to climate change and food insecurity. For that, we need to start considering new alternatives.

Today, the pet food industry already belongs to a circular economy in which some leftovers from the human food industry are used. That is an efficient way of using the planet's resources. But more education is needed to highlight these efforts and improve circularity connections. If we work for it, future generations will count on an efficient and responsible animal agriculture industry concerning the environment and its resources.

By All Pet Food Magazine.