Welfare Science

Waste Food Animal Welfare Connections

A third of all food produced globally is wasted — reducing food waste directly reduces the number of animals raised in poor conditions.

Key Facts

One third of global food production is wasted — equivalent to 1.3 billion tonnes annually
Animal products account for a disproportionate share of food waste environmental impact
Reducing food waste is one of the most effective interventions for animal welfare at scale
Supply chain waste includes animals raised for products that spoil before consumption

Welfare Considerations

Food waste and animal welfare are connected through the demand-supply chain. Every unit of animal product wasted required an animal to be raised and slaughtered without net benefit. Reducing food waste reduces the total number of animals needed. At the policy level, reducing animal product waste is one of the highest-leverage interventions for aggregate animal welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Reduce personal food waste through meal planning and proper storage
Support food waste reduction policies and redistribution programs
Advocate for surplus food redistribution rather than disposal
Consider food waste implications when choosing animal products