FLIPCARDS

(Versino et al., 2023)

Metal (Aluminum)

• Best alternative!
• Not produced from fossil fuels.
• Highly recyclable.
• By recycling you save up to 95% of the energy used to make a new one and with no need for new material.

2/10

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The Food Choices Dilemma

1/10

PET (Plastic)

Glass

Metal (Aluminum)

Which is the most sustainable food packaging material for beverages in terms of emissions during production?

3/10

Conventional farming

Organic farming

Depends on the context

When purchasing fresh produce, is it more environmentally responsible to select produce from organic farming or conventional farming sources?

(Wilbois & Schmidt, 2019)

It depends!

• Both the two farming systems have the potential of damaging the environment
• Best option: a combination of both methods
• Adoption of organic farming technologies by conventional agriculture

4/10

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Not eat tomatos at all

7/10

Tomatos locally produced in greenhouses

Tomatos imported from Morocco

What is the most environmentally friendly option for eating fresh tomatoes in winter if we are in Italy in terms of energy use intensity?

Composting food scraps

5/10

Use a rotating food inventory system to prioritize older items.

Buying in bulk and freeze everything

There is no one-size fits all

When it comes to reducing food waste at home, what is a helpful practice for consumers and the environment?

(Clement et al., 2023)

• The effectiveness of each practice may vary depending on individual preferences, lifestyle and circumstances.
• Consider which practice aligns best for you when it comes to reducing food waste, there is no wrong answer as long as we are aware of this problem and doing something about it at the best of our capacity
• "Just taking part in the debate might cause small changes in people’s mindsets, and behaviors might change as a consequence of challenging one’s own words"

There is no one-size fits all

6/10

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(Payen et al., 2015)

• Morocco, has a warm climate in winter but significant freshwater use impacts
• Greenhouse production has higher overall impacts on energy consumption, global warming, and eutrophication, even when considering transport from Morocco.

• More environmentally friendly to import vegetables from warm Southern countries during Northern production's heating periods.

Let us explain...

Tomatos from Morocco

8/10

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A "Wild-Caught" certification label

9/10

The Marine and/or Aquaculture Stewardship Certification label

The country of origin (the one I live in)

What should we look for when we are trying to identify sustainably sourced seafood in a grocery store in terms of environmental and ethical standards?

(Le Manach et al., 2020)

• It assures consumers that the seafood comes from fisheries that:
• Meet environmental and ethical standards for sustainable fishing practices
• Protect marine ecosystems, and maintain fish populations
• Promote transparency and traceability in the supply chain
• HOWEVER...
• It is also criticized for weak standards and overly lenient third-party certifiers.

The Marine and or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (MSC) certification label.

10/10

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Thank you!

Be the change you want to see in the world!

• Need for mining for raw materials
• Very high temperatures needed to melt the raw materials, with release of carbon dioxide and use of fossil fuels as power source
• Heavy material, meaning more fuels needed during transportation.

❌ Why not glass?

• Energy intensive production
• Not endlessly recyclable
• Primary plastic production involves the use of fossil fuels.

❌ Why not plastic?

No tomatoes in Italy? 🤔

• Staple food in Italy due to its use in various iconic dishes
• Symbol of Italy's culinary heritage
• Enhances culinary experience and encourages healthier eating habits
• High levels of vitamins C, K, potassium, and antioxidants like lycopene

• Although higher land efficiency • Environmental pollution due to the use of fertilisers and other chemicals • Challenges long-term soil health

❌ Why not the conventional way?

• Does not ensure sustainable fishing or aquaculture practices
• It lacks information about specific methods and regulations within a country
• Doesn't account for overfishing concerns
• There is no traceable supply chain

❌ Why not?

• Packaging can generate non-recyclable waste
• Over-packing the freezer can reduce its efficiency and require more energy
• It can encourage excess consumption, leading to over-purchasing

However...

• It reduces food waste by means of a longer shelf life of foodstuffs
• Helps the household to save money
• Lower carbon footprint associated with frequent shopping trips not done by fuel-efficient transportation options

It can be an alternative...

There are many widely used foodstuffs that are not suitable for composting such as meat, meat alternatives, fish, dairy, fats and oils.

• Diverts waste from landfills
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
• Enriches soil
• Promotes responsible waste management.

It could be an alternative! 🍽️

However...

However

• Prevents them from producing harmful greenhouse gases as they decompose
• The need to replace food with new purchases is minimized
• Reduces resource consumption, packaging waste, and transportation emissions associated with buying new food.

• It may be complex to manage
• Lead to overstocking if not carefully monitored
• Require attention to food safety, and impact taste and quality
• Individual preferences and dietary choices need to be considered.

It can be an alternative...

❌ Why not? It seemed like a good choice...

• A "Wild-Caught" label simply indicates the fishing method and the country of origin
• Provides information but doesn't guarantee environmental and ethical standards.

• Greenhouse production has higher energy-related impacts
• It is less eco-friendly, even with transportation considered.

• Morocco's warm climate allows off-season tomato production without extensive heating, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

❌ Why not? Is it not better when it is locally produced?

❌Why not just organic farming?

• Higher soil organic matter and nitrogen.
• Lower fossil energy inputs.
• Conservation of soil moisture and water resources.
• Lower yield would lead to the need for more extensive fields, therefore damaging the biodiversity.

The obvious option is not always the correct one...