Version 2.0 of the guide, which was developed in 2020, provides a number of improvements upon the initial release based on feedback and input from pilot testers, expert contributors, and other individuals and organizations consulted by the authors. These improvements were designed to make the guide more user-friendly and allow readers to more easily find the material most useful to them.

This appendix contains brief descriptions of several FLW measurement methods, as well as additional resources for each.

Food loss and waste (FLW) is an increasingly important issue in North America, where annually close to 170 million tonnes of food produced for human consumption are lost and wasted across the food supply chain.

First Step to Prevention

Toks, a 100% Mexican restaurant chain with more than 200 restaurants throughout the country, has undertaken various initiatives to reduce food loss and waste (FLW), including offering some of its dishes in different portion sizes.

Recently, after quantifying FLW at one of its branches according to the practical guide from the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), it found opportunities for savings of around P$330,000 (pesos) per year and to abate 40 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Developed with support and direction from the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), this technical report is about quantifying food loss and waste (FLW) and food surplus in the context of Canada, Mexico and the United States. This work follows the outputs delivered under the CEC Operational Plan 2015–2016, which established the North American Initiative on Food Waste Reduction and Recovery as part of its green economy and climate change portfolios.

Photo credits, Cover, istock.com/PrathanChorruangsak

Toks, a 100% Mexican restaurant chain with more than 200 restaurants throughout the country, has undertaken various initiatives to reduce food loss and waste (FLW), including offering some of its dishes in different portion sizes.

Case Study Beau’s Natural Brewing Co., the largest organic craft brewery in Canada

Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Reporting enables tracking of changes over time and their associated benefits. Effluent measurement at Beau’s has conserved more than just beer. The benefits to the environment and to Beau’s bottom line show that food loss measurement can be an important component of sustainable manufacturing.

An environmental leader among Canadian breweries, Beau’s was already responsibly managing trucked organic wastes and had engaged a university and an engineering firm to upgrade its onsite wastewater pretreatment facilities to accommodate growth. Even so, Beau’s was open to further gains.

Waste composition analysis is a process of physically separating, weighing and categorizing waste. It can be used both to determine total amounts of FLW and to categorize the different types of foods that have been discarded (e.g., fruits, vegetables, meat) or distinguish between food and inedible parts.

A summary of the strengths and limitations of waste composition analyses is shown in Tables A16 and A17.

Table A16. Factors to Consider when Using a Food-Focused Waste Composition Analysis to Quantify FLW

Source: Authors.

Table A17. Factors to Consider when Using a Waste Composition Analysis on all Materials in a Waste Stream

Source: Authors.

How to Conduct a Waste Composition Analysis to Measure FLW

Step 1: Identify the sectors to be reviewed

If a waste composition analysis is to be performed across several sectors, start by making a list of the sectors of interest. If the waste composition analysis is taking place within a single household, business or facility, this step can be skipped.

Step 2: Recruit and inform participants

Participants in a waste composition analysis can be identified from publicly available information, such as databases of businesses or through trade organizations (NRDC 2017a). The participants should be fully briefed about when the analysis will be performed and who will be conducting the analysis. It may be difficult to recruit participants due to confidentiality concerns, so an incentive may be useful to encourage participation.

Step 3: Obtain samples of FLW and identify a sorting site

Collect waste samples from the FLW-generating units on their regular trash collection days to ensure that the analysis is conducted on a representative sample. If possible, take the waste sample to a separate site to be sorted, since most FLW-generating units will not have the space available to sort through large amounts of waste.[1]

Step 4: Prepare the FLW for measurement

Prepare the waste samples for measurement with the following steps (WRAP 2012).

1. Place the waste from each FLW-generating unit in a discrete area (e.g., a table or a marked-off section of floor) where it will not mix with other samples.
2. Remove the food from any packages and sort the packages into a separate pile.
3. Sort the FLW into categories based on the scope of the study.
4. If it is of interest to the study, sort the non-FLW material into categories, such as paper, plastic, metals, etc.

Step 5: Weigh and record the data

Weigh each category of FLW separately. Record the weight data in a prepared spreadsheet based on the food categories identified for the study.

Step 6: Dispose of the waste samples

Once the samples have been sorted, weighed and recorded, they can be disposed of. If the scale of the study is large, it may be necessary to contract a waste management company for a special waste retrieval.

Step 7: Analyze the data

Once the data from the waste composition analysis has been obtained for a single day from an FLW-generating unit, it can be extrapolated to an entire year by multiplying the data by the number of days the unit operates annually

Common Data Challenges when Conducting a Waste Composition Analysis

Reluctance to participate. FLW-generating units may not see the benefit of a composition analysis of their waste stream and may even be actively opposed to participating due to confidentiality concerns. Confidentiality concerns can be addressed through signed confidentiality agreements and by working with local officials who can assure potential participants of the legitimacy of the study. Providing an incentive for taking part in the analysis may also boost participation rates.

Sample collection errors. If the waste management company of the FLW-generating unit is not aware of the study being undertaken, the samples may be inadvertently collected as part of routine disposal before they can be analyzed. This can be avoided by reminding the waste management company of the study and by collecting the sample at least an hour before the usual waste pickup occurs.

Unrepresentative data. The results of a single waste composition analysis might not be representative of an FLW-generating unit’s “typical” output. For example, if a household held a family gathering the night before the waste analysis, the analysis would show much higher levels of FLW than usual. Atypical results can be identified by performing multiple analyses of the same unit on different days. If another analysis is not feasible, comparing the results against other similar units and discarding any outliers that seem overly high or low can minimize unrepresentative data.

Lack of information on causes. Although a waste composition analysis provides highly granular numerical data on FLW, it provides little to no information on the causes of FLW. It may therefore be useful to simultaneously conduct a separate study using diaries or surveys to gather qualitative information on the causes of the FLW.

Additional Resources for Using Waste Composition Analysis

FLW Protocol. 2016. Chapter 4, “Waste Composition Analysis,” in Guidance on FLW Quantification Methods. <http://flwprotocol.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/FLW_Guidance_Chapter4_Waste_Composition_Analysis.pdf >.

Natural Resources Defense Council. 2017. Estimating quantities and types of food waste at the city level. <www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/food-waste-city-level-report.pdf >.

Natural Resources Defense Council. 2017. Estimating quantities and types of food waste at the city level: Technical appendices. <https://assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/food-waste-city-level-technical-appendices.pdf>.

WRAP. 2012b. Methods used for household food and drink in the UK, 2012. <www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Methods%20Annex%20Report%20v2.pdf>.

Zero Waste Scotland. 2015. “Guidance on the methodology for waste composition analysis.” https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/sites/default/files/WCAMethodology_Jun15.pdf

[1] For a detailed discussion of how to select a site for sorting FLW, see pages 32–33 of Chapter 4 “Waste Composition Analysis” in Guidance on FLW Quantification Methods by FLW Protocol.

Records are collections of data that have been gathered and saved. There are numerous types of records, such as waste transfer receipts or warehouse records. Although these data may have been gathered for purposes other than FLW quantification, they can often be repurposed to help gain an understanding of FLW levels within a facility.

When to Use Records

Records are valuable for FLW quantification where data related to FLW is routinely being collected. For this reason, records are most likely to be useful in the manufacturing, retail and food service sectors, since proprietors frequently collect and track data relating to purchasing, food inventory and waste management.

Using existing records can be more cost-effective than undertaking new measurements, since the records are already being gathered for other purposes. Additionally, because resources like the Provision Coalition Food Loss and Waste Toolkit allow users to input their existing records to estimate FLW levels, this can be a simple and straightforward method. However, since the data have not been gathered expressly for FLW quantification, they may be unclear or in a form not useful for the project. This can lead to less accurate data and may require additional time and effort in adjusting the data to fit the needs of the measurement exercise.

The causes of food loss and waste can be difficult to discern from records, since the factors leading to the waste are generally not recorded. For these reasons, records are often used to supplement another FLW quantification method rather than as a primary method.

A summary of the strengths and limitations of records is shown in Table A15.

Table A15. Factors to Consider when Using Records to Quantify FLW

Source: Authors.

How to Use Records to Quantify FLW

This section gives four steps to use existing records to gather information about FLW.

Step 1: Identify the records available

A variety of records may be available to assist with FLW quantification.

• Purchasing information: contains data relating to the amount and types of food being brought in by the entity looking to quantify its FLW.
• Waste transfer receipts: contains data relating to the amount of waste being transported away from a facility. It may also contain information about where the waste is being disposed of (i.e., anaerobic digestion, landfill). In some cases, organic waste is separated from inorganic waste prior to waste transfer. If organic waste and inorganic waste are combined, the amount of organic waste will need to be estimated.
• Existing waste-reduction measurements: Many larger-sized companies undertake waste reduction or efficiency measurement methodology, such as Six Sigma (FUSIONS 2016). These records may be useful when quantifying FLW.
• Donation receipts: If the facility or business in question has donated food to charities or food banks, it may retain receipts to track the types and amounts of food donated. Although this food is not considered to be FLW since it remains in the human food supply chain, many businesses still find value in tracking the amount of food being donated.
• Records of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in sewage: Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is the amount of oxygen that bacteria take from water when they oxidize organic matter (Hach et al. 1997). Because BOD tests tend to be costly, a chemical oxygen demand (COD) test, which is the total measurement of all chemicals in the water that can be oxidized, is generally used as a proxy to measure for BOD. The sewage treatment company used by the company conducting the FLW quantification may possess COD data that can be used to estimate the amount of organic matter being sent down the drain.

These examples are emblematic of the type of records that will be useful for an FLW quantification effort.

Step 2: Assess the relevance of the records

Assess how relevant the selected records are for the needs of the FLW quantification project being undertaken. First, determine if they are in line with the scope of the inventory, as discussed in the “Setting Your Scope” module. Next, consider the reliability of the records by examining the following aspects (FLW Protocol 2016):

• the method used to compile the records;
• the measurement devices used;
• the transcription of the measurement or approximation into the record; and
• any assumptions or conversion factors used.

Some or all of these items may be missing, which will contribute to a less accurate figure for FLW quantification.

Step 3: Acquire the records

Records can be grouped broadly into two categories: internal and external.

Internal records are already possessed by the entity doing the FLW measurement, and therefore are easier to access. For these records the primary challenge will be identifying who is producing them and requesting the records. Inform the record-holder why the records are needed, which will help the record-holder to understand why the records are important and will build awareness about FLW measurement and reduction within the company or organization.

If the records belong to an external party, such as a waste management company, it may be more difficult to obtain the relevant data. However, the following strategies may be useful (FLW Protocol 2016).

• Explain how the records will be used and the societal and economic benefits of quantifying FLW.
• Ensure that the records will be used confidentially.
• Offer an incentive or monetary compensation for response.
• Provide clear direction for the respondent to make the process as easy as possible.

Step 4: Prepare and analyze the data

Next the data in the records must be standardized and collated. The simplest method for doing this is by entering the data into an electronic spreadsheet. If the records contain direct FLW data, this process may be as simple as adding up the relevant values. If the records provide data on a mixed waste stream, applying an FLW factor (e.g., how much of the waste is FLW) to the data will be necessary. If the data do not directly provide this factor, it can be obtained by performing a waste composition analysis.

Common Data Challenges when Using Records

Inconsistencies between data sources. When using records drawn from a variety of sources, it is inevitable that methodologies, terminologies and units of data will differ, leading to confusion when the data are combined. One way to avoid this problem is to provide the record-holder with the definitions being used for terms such as “food waste” to develop a common understanding.

Data gaps or insufficient information. Records will not always provide all the data necessary for a complete FLW quantification. In these instances, a series of steps can be taken. First, determine if the records provide enough data to formulate a plan for FLW reduction. If there is, proceed with developing a plan but also inform the record-holder of the gaps that exist in hopes that the missing data can be collected over time. If the gaps are too significant to proceed, use another FLW quantification method. Consult the module relevant to your sector to determine which methods are most appropriate.

Insufficient information on causes of FLW. Most records are of numerical data and do not capture information on attitudes or activities that contributed to the waste, making it difficult to ascertain the causes of FLW. Thus, records may need to be augmented by a survey or interview process to obtain information on why FLW was being generated. Additional guidance on this can be found in the Surveys module.

Additional Resources for Using Records

FLW Protocol. 2016. Chapter 5. “Records.” In Guidance on FLW quantification methods. <http://flwprotocol.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/FLW_Guidance_Chapter5_Records.pdf>.

FUSIONS. 2016. Food waste quantification manual to monitor food waste amounts and progression. <www.eu-fusions.org/phocadownload/Publications/Food%20waste%20quantification%20manual%20to%20monitor%20food%20waste%20amounts%20and%20progression.pdf>. (See especially the sections “Identify and review existing data relating to food waste” for each sector.)