Phase 2. Network mapping

Impacts

James Bailey A01763949 / Luis Marcelo Montemayor A01722957 / Valentina Gzz Favela A01723187 / Alberto Alejandro Alvarado A00840732 / Ricardo Abad Castruita Alcocer A01198871

The problem

Indirect

Problems

Direct

References

Food waste in monterrey

Actors

Instruments

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Direct

Indirect

Direct

For the elaboration of this map we had to work like a team since we had to cover several points. We had already made this kind of research but we had to research even deeply for us to collect all the necessary information. We used this platform because it's a very interactive place and we didn't want the information to look crowded or overwhelming in any way. We could reflect a lot on the topic and see a lot of new facts about this. We also thought it was very important for us to link all the information with graphic help and references for the viewers to be able to understand in a much more clear way.

Reflection

Food is transported in unsafe conditions which ends up damaging the food items, causing people to not buy them. Those damaged food items end up going to waste, and the same happens with items that are about to expire, because they are still on the shelves and no one will pick them up.

Private Industry: HEB, Walmart, Soriana

Supermarkets throw out food when close to expiration date and/or with imperfections.

Restaurants that are available in food delivery apps use unsustainable packaging and overgive condiments that people do not ask for.

For example, I was a grocery store delivery driver. One day I had a very large order of food. I picked it up from Walmart and attempted to deliver it to the customer, however, the customer did not provide correct address so I had to return the items to walmart for a return. Upon asking what would happen to all the items, I was told they would all be thrown out. - James B.

The exact amount of food wasted by the private industry itself is not reported, highlighting a problem with lack of transparency in the private industry

Government

Lack of waste regulation.

No penalties.

Laws in place since April 17 of 2024, however the laws do not directly enforce food waste.

Over consumption of food, especially on the holidays (Herrera, 2024). “40 porciento de la comida que es destinada a las cenas de Navidad y Año Nuevo termina en la basura”.

Consumers

Consumption of high carbon producing foods (e.g., meat).

High levels of waste.

• Food waste in monterrey contributing to climate change.
• 50,000 tonnes of food is wasted everyday in Mexico.
• 40% of food wasted.
• 35% of greenhouse gasses.
• 20 million tonnes of food wasted each year.

If food production increases carbon emissions then food waste contributes to carbon emissions because the opportunity to use what has already been produced instead of producing more is lost therefore food waste indirectly contributes to climate change.

References:

• Herrera, E. (2024, January 22). México desperdicia 20 millones de toneladas de alimentos al año. Milenio. https://www.milenio.com/negocios/mexico-desperdicia-20-millones-toneladas-alimentos-ano
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (n.d.). Case studies from Mexico. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://leap.unep.org/en/countries/mx/case-studies/mexico
• Mexico News Daily. (2022, September 13). Food banks combat Mexico’s hunger and food waste. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/food-banks-combat-mexicos-hunger-and-food-waste/
• Food Waste and its Links to Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change. (2022, 24 enero). USDA. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2022/01/24/food-waste-and-its-links-greenhouse-gases-and-climate-change
• Quantifying Methane Emissions from Landfilled Food Waste | US EPA. (2024, 22 enero). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/land-research/quantifying-methane-emissions-landfilled-food-waste
• NDCs, F. F. (2024, 7 agosto). Reducing post-harvest food loss at storage, transport and processing levels - Food Forward NDCs. Food Forward NDCs. https://foodforwardndcs.panda.org/food-supply-chains/reducing-post-harvest-food-loss-at-storage-transport-and-processing-levels/
• Axented. (s. f.). Hambre Cero NL - Una causa de todos. https://www.hambreceronl.mx/

Infrastructure & Technology

Investments in better food storage, transportation, and processing facilities to reduce spoilage.

Support for developing new technologies and methods to extend the shelf life of perishable foods and improve food supply chain efficiency.

Legislation & Education

Local laws enforcing waste reduction practices for food retailers and restaurants.

Specific, targeted initiatives educating the public on the importance of minimizing food waste and how to do it effectively.

Pollution & Food insecurity

Indirect impact on wildlife habitats from expanded agricultural lands used to grow more food than is necessary.

Increased pressure on landfills and waste management systems, contributing to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Worsening food insecurity by diverting resources that could otherwise be used to address hunger and feed vulnerable populations.

Waste Impact & Finances

Immediate and significant accumulation of organic waste in landfills, leading to increased methane emissions.

Direct financial losses for producers, retailers, and consumers due to purchasing and then discarding unused food.

Climate change & Economic impacts

Long-term contribution to climate change through continuous emission of greenhouse gases associated with the production, transportation, and decomposition of wasted food.

Indirect economic impacts such as increased prices for food due to inefficiencies and losses in the supply chain.

Impacts & Inefficiency of resources

Immediate impact from methane and CO2 emissions due to decomposition of organic waste in landfills.

Inefficient use of resources such as water, energy, and labor used in food production.