Bangkok--6 Jul--Tesco Lotus
Tesco Lotus, Thailand's leading retailer, has announced its ambition to lead in combating food waste jn Thailand based on a farm to fork approach, whereby the amount of food waste will be curbed from supplier sites, retail operations and customers' homes. Tesco Lotus also launches the "What's Edible is Shareable" programme to demonstrate its commitment to eliminating food waste at stores by donating all unsold but edible food to charities and those in need, starting today at all 23 Tesco Lotus hypermarkets in Bangkok, before rolling out the efforts to all large format stores nationwide in the near future.
Mr. John Christie, Chief Executive Officer, Tesco Lotus, said: "As a leading retailer in Thailand, we sell a massive amount of food to customers every day. Even though the amount of food waste in retail operations is low in comparison to the waste that occurs upstream at farms and downstream during consumption, the sheer amount of food that we sell still makes the number significant. Being an important link in food value chain, we realise that Tesco Lotus can make a big difference in cutting food waste and hence we are taking a lead in tackling this important social, economic and environmental issue".
The UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 seeks to "ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns." The third target under this goal (Target 12.3) calls for cutting in half global food waste per capita at the retail and consumer level, and reducing food losses along production and supply chains by 2030. Tesco Group has made a commitment to support Target 12.3, announcing that no food that is safe for human consumption will go to waste within its operations. By the end of 2017, no surplus food will go to waste from all Tesco stores in the UK. The food will instead be donated to more than 5,000 charities and community groups, who turn the food into meals for those in need. Tesco Group CEO Dave Lewis also chairs the Champions 12.3 coalition of leaders from government, businesses, international organisations, research institutions, and civil socieites, to combat food loss and waste around the world.
Food waste issue is increasignly alarming in Thailand, causing social, economic and environmental impacts. According to the Department of Pollution Control, the amount of waste in Thailand has steadily increased every year. In 2016, Thais generated more than 27 million tonnes of waste, approximately 74,130 tonnes per day. This is equivalent to 1.14 kilograms of waste per person per day. Of this waste, 64 percent comes from food. Meanwhile, the country has the capacity to properly deal with less than 60 percent of this waste. The rest is disposed of incorrectly; ending up in landfills, burned, discarded in rivers and waterways, and clogging drainages. While this is happening, one in eight Thai people goes hungry.
Adopting the "Farm to Fork" approach, Tesco Lotus reduces food waste at every link of the supply chain. Through its direct sourcing programme, the retailer works closely with local farmers on crop planning and forecasting, using a market-led approach to ensure that supplies do not exceed demands. Innovative packaging and efficient temperature-control transportation from farms to distribution centres and stores also help to prolong the shelf life of fresh products. At stores, food that is not in perfect condition but still safe to eat is offered at low prices to incentivise customers to buy and help them save on daily essentials. Surplus food that is unsold at the end of each day is then sorted through. Edible products are donated to charities under "What's Edible is Shareable" programme, while inedible products are turned into bio-fertilisers.
"We are proud to announce that Tesco Lotus is the first retailer in Thailand to make a commitment to donate all surplus food to people in need. Today we are officially launching our "What's Edible is Shareable" programme to eliminate food waste and help the underpriviledged around the country. Starting with all 23 hypermarkets in Bangkok, we will roll out the programme to all large format stores nationwide soon. We have started donating surplus food to the needy since last year, including rice from damaged packages, unsold vegetables, fruits and dry groceries, which have been turned into nearly 1,000,000 meals for those in need."
"Tesco Lotus realises the important role we can play in combating food waste and at the same time hunger problems in Thailand. While we are taking the lead in reducing food waste, from farm to fork, we would like to encourage our customers, colleagues, people in Thailand to shop, manage, and consume food responsibly. With all our efforts combined, we will together lessen the economic, social, and environmental problems caused by food waste," concluded Mr. Christie.