Explore, Connect, Grow

Upcycling low-value foods into higher-value products

Some companies are looking for ways to turn that wasted food into something else that can be eaten or used, which we call upcycled foods. For example, some restaurants create dishes using low-value foods like black beans and barley to help their chefs experiment with new recipes while also reducing food waste.

Others are turning this wasted food into compost by finding new ways to use it as fertilizer for plants or donating it to animal feed operations instead of finding new uses for it.

Innovation in plant-based foods

Plant-based meat alternatives and products made from plants are expected to grow $5 billion over the next four years.

Companies are disrupting industry. They’re providing consumers with plant-based alternatives to meat, chicken, and fish that have a taste and texture as close as possible to their animal-based counterparts. Both companies have seen exponential growth in their stocks over the last few years. And if their success continues, it’s no wonder that more plant-based food brands are popping up.

One example of a success story is Beyond Meat, which sells plant-based products like beefless burgers, chicken less nuggets, and eggless eggs. The company was valued at $1.6 billion after its latest round of funding this year.

People are looking for healthier lifestyles, so it’s no surprise that plant-based milk sales are expected to hit $14 billion by 2028, with a global market share of 20 percent. This will be driven by demand for almond milk and soy milk, which is projected to maintain their position as the most popular plant-based milk for another five years before giving way to plant-based coconut milk.

Sustainable food packaging

The development of sustainable packaging for food is one key to the success of the plant-based movement. With more and more people looking for healthier lifestyles, companies are investing in new and sustainable packaging materials.

Plant-based meat alternatives will use packaging made from plant-based material such as cashew or coconut oil, while dairy products such as milk will be packaged in paper cartons or glass jars. Packaging will be compostable and recyclable so that these products can easily be disposed of without harming the environment.

Low Carbon Diet

This pertains to consuming food that is eco-friendly and has a low carbon footprint. It involves looking at how the food you consume is prepared, produced and transported. A “low-carbon diet” usually means shifting more to a plant-based diet and minimizing or giving up meat and dairy, which the UN states are responsible for 14.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Composting

Every eco warrior probably knows about composting: the act of collecting organic waste to use as fertilizer. While we usually associate composting with collecting food scraps such as rotting fruit, coffee grounds and eggshells it can also include weeds, leaves and even grass clippings – after all, they are organic! Not only does this contribute to the health of the soil, but it also keeps waste out of landfills.