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From Waste to Value: How to Tackle Food Waste

Discover the causes and impact of food waste, and learn how you can tackle it on a personal, community, and national level.

12,534 enrolled on this course

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  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • Accreditation

    AvailableMore info
The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Explore how combatting food waste and food loss can help the environment

The significant contribution the food system makes to climate change is widely recognised, and consumers are increasingly concerned about food waste.

On this course, you’ll explore how you – as a consumer – can act and inspire others to reduce food waste effectively and sustainably. You’ll learn what food waste is, and why it matters, and gain practical information on how to be an agent of change both personally and politically.

You’ll discover how the circular economy provides a framework for discovering solutions to this issue, and hear from companies that are making a difference.

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What topics will you cover?

  • The difference between food loss and food waste
  • The environmental, social and economic impacts of food waste and the effect on climate change
  • How common retail systems and the expectation of abundance and choice has resulted in the current situation
  • Practical ideas for reducing food waste at home
  • Innovative products and services that will help reduce waste in supermarkets
  • How to lobby governments and national organisations to effect change

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

  • Date to be announced

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Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Evaluate the causes of food loss and food waste and assess the effect on the planet in terms of food security, sustainability and climate change
  • Reflect on your own personal contribution to the problem and explore the potential of the waste hierarchy and the circular economy to suggest solutions
  • Investigate how changes in the way we shop, cook and store food can help reduce food waste
  • Collaborate to produce actionable changes that can make an impact on your own community
  • Compare the practices of different retailers and discover the innovations that are helping them to reduce waste
  • Engage with the policies of national governments and the EU and help improve the sustainability of the food system in your country

Who is the course for?

This course would appeal to environmentally conscious citizens who are worried about the way the Earth’s resources are currently being used and want to get a better understanding of the problem in order to take action to tackle it.

This would include employees in the food sector, restaurant owners and chefs, and concerned consumers.

Who will you learn with?

I am a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading. I am a food scientist interested in developing new healthy and sustainable foods.

I am a food scientist and working at RethinkResource, a agency for innovation and upcycling. I am interested in a sustainable foodsystem and solutions how we can get there.

I'm a food engineer involved in EIT Food projects working in the School of Agriculture, Policy & Development at the University of Reading. I've experience working in industry-academia collaborations.

Who developed the course?

EIT Food

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.

University of Reading

The University of Reading has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise.

European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

The European Institute of Innovation & Technology strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial skills in Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem.

Endorsers and supporters

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Rethink Resource logo

content provided by

Mimica

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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