Is getting food delivered worse for the climate? Sometimes it’s better

The Convenience vs. Environmental Impact of Food Delivery

As the world becomes increasingly dependent on food delivery services, concerns about their environmental impact have grown. From meal kits to grocery services to restaurant delivery, the carbon footprint of convenient food is being scrutinized. Here, we delve into the complexities of food delivery and the choices people can make to mitigate its environmental impact.

The Boom in Food Delivery

The convenience of food delivery has been a significant attraction for many consumers. The global online food delivery service is currently valued at $126.91 billion, and future projections for the industry continue to grow. This has been particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the closure of dine-in restaurants accelerated the growth of food delivery services. Restaurant owners have also benefited by partnering with delivery apps or setting up their own delivery services.

Environmental Impact

However, this boom in food delivery services has not been without environmental costs. The industry impacts the environment in two major ways: waste and emissions.

Waste

Non-sustainable packaging is a significant contributor to environmental waste. Materials such as single-use plastics and styrofoam, which do not biodegrade, add to the amount of solid waste generated by households. This waste can include packaging materials like plastic bags, utensils, and containers, which can take hundreds of years to decompose.

In addition to packaging waste, there is also food waste. Restaurants generate around 33 million pounds of food waste per year, including unfinished meals, spoiled food, and items that cannot be kept for more than 24 hours. With food delivery services, additional food waste can occur due to errors in delivery, such as wrong addresses or meals that violate specific dietary requirements.

Emissions

Transportation is one of the largest offenders of greenhouse gas emissions. The average passenger vehicle, which is often employed by food delivery apps, emits around 4.6 metric tons of greenhouse gases per year. With food delivery apps like Doordash employing around one million drivers, this translates to a significant number of cars on the road, contributing to increased emissions.

Solutions to Reduce Environmental Impact

Despite the negative impact of food delivery, there are ways to mitigate its environmental effects. Some of these solutions can be implemented by consumers, and others require changes from the food delivery industry itself.

Consumer Choices

1. Local Options: Choosing local restaurants, farms, and supermarkets that offer delivery services can reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation. Using locally sourced ingredients and minimizing the distance food travels can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of food delivery.

2. Sustainable Packaging: Opting for restaurants or meal kit services that use recyclable or biodegradable packaging can reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste. Cardboard packaging, for example, degrades much sooner than other alternatives and can be recycled.

3. No Single-Use Plastics: Avoiding single-use plastics in packaging can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Keeping utensils at home can also help minimize the need for additional plastic with meal deliveries.

4. Meal Kits: Meal kits, which deliver pre-portioned ingredients, can reduce food waste and carbon emissions by minimizing the amount of food that goes to waste. Services like HelloFresh and Gousto have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint and food waste by purchasing ingredients based on orders.

5. Cluster Deliveries: Companies that cluster deliveries together can emit 80 to 90 percent less carbon per customer than those that don’t. This is because full delivery trucks can cover more routes with fewer vehicles on the road.

Industry Practices

1. Reducing Delivery Range: Limiting delivery ranges for drivers can reduce the number of trips and associated emissions.

2. Recyclable Containers: Implementing recyclable containers for packaging can reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable packaging practice.

3. Delivery Hours: Reducing delivery hours can also decrease the number of trips made and the associated emissions.

4. Natural Utensils: Using utensils made from natural materials like bamboo or sugarcane can reduce the need for single-use plastics.

5. Cluster Deliveries: Encouraging companies to cluster deliveries together can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Conclusion

Food delivery services have become a staple in modern life, offering convenience and accessibility. However, their environmental impact cannot be overlooked. By making informed choices as consumers and implementing sustainable practices within the industry, we can mitigate the negative effects of food delivery on the environment. Whether it’s choosing local options, using sustainable packaging, or supporting meal kit services, there are many ways to reduce the carbon footprint of food delivery.

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