Stop Wasting Pizza & Start Saving the Planet: The Cold Chain Food Waste Dilemma

Today is National Pizza Day (an odd one, we know). Prior to the First World War, there was little awareness of pizza outside of its native Italy. Today, it’s estimated that the average UK consumer will eat 731 pizzas in their lifetime.

But is your pizza more carbon than calories?

If you’re ordering a pizza regularly from your favourite takeaway, there’s a general calculation that it’s contributing 290 kg of carbon dioxide each time.

And do you always finish it?

According to the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Food Waste Index Report, about 17% of global food production in 2019 didn’t make it to the mouths of consumers, equating to a whopping 931 million tonnes of food, ending up in the bin.

Food waste is a global dilemma. In the UK alone, we currently produce 9.5 million tonnes of food waste every year post-farmgate (after processing), 70% of which could have been eaten.

This annual waste has an approximate cost of £19 billion.

It’s estimated that food manufacturers are directly responsible for over 2.9 million tonnes of food waste in 2019.

Food waste is not only a financial burden on the UK food industry, but it also has a significant impact on the environment. Landfills are overflowing with wasted food, leading to increased methane emissions and other harmful pollutants.

Here at Invisible Systems, we don’t believe that something as delicious as pizza should end up in landfill.

A study by Carrier Global estimates that food waste accounts for roughly 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions each year, and this figure is only expected to increase.

Sadly, a large portion of food waste can be attributed to the simple failure of fridge storage or freezer.

The Solution – IoT Temperature Monitoring

IoT or the Internet of Things, offers a smart solution to prevent food waste.

Using sensors and dashboard technology, food manufacturers are able to monitor the temperature of their food storage units at all points throughout the supply chain.

The sensors can be used in refrigerated containers, freezers, vehicles, pallets and even packaging, providing a continuous stream of data on the temperature and conditions of the food.

This data can be analysed in real-time, allowing for early identification of potential issues and enabling quick action to prevent spoilage and waste.

One of the key benefits of IoT temperature monitoring is that it provides greater visibility and control over the cold chain.

Greater insight enables improved planning and decision-making, allowing food companies to optimize their operations and reduce waste. By identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the supply chain, the system can help to streamline processes, resulting in a more efficient and sustainable food system.

These systems can detect any fluctuations in temperature and alert workers in real-time, allowing them to quickly fix the issue and prevent food waste.

Introducing the I-System

The I-System, by Invisible Systems, offers IoT temperature sensors paired with custom software that provides the data you need to manage and monitor your units with clarity and efficiency.

The sensors provide real-time data on the temperature and usage of the refrigeration unit, via a bespoke, online platform, allowing workers to make informed decisions about maintenance and energy use.

Should there be any indication of a problem, such as a drop or rise in temperature, the system will provide alerts to workers via the platform, text, email or even call – it’s really up to you.

In addition to reducing food waste, the I-System from Invisible Systems helps to improve food safety and meet regulations to ensure the correct temperature of factory or hospitality food storage.

By constantly monitoring the temperature, workers can ensure that food is stored at safe temperatures, reducing the risk of food-borne illness and other health hazards.

Another benefit of the I-System is the overall reduction of energy usage by your business, reducing both costs and carbon emissions.

To find out more about the full power of the I-System and the benefits it can provide to your business, contact a member of our team today and book a demo of our technology and software platform.