Save and save food: This is how 'Beyond Best Before' fights against waste!

Save and save food: This is how 'Beyond Best Before' fights against waste!

Food waste is not only an environmental challenge, but also a major economic problem. We can do a lot to remedy this situation. A notable example of this is the social enterprise Beyond Best Before, which launched in Sydney in July 2023. Founders Katie and Maggie Quach use creative approaches to combat food waste. Over 7.6 million tonnes of food is thrown away in Australia every year, causing immense environmental damage and economic loss. Beyond Best Before purchases products from FMCG companies that are close to or after the Best Before date and sells them at discounts of 40-90% of the recommended retail price. In this way, the founders not only create economic added value, but also make an important contribution to environmental protection. The idea is based on the belief that food past the "best before" date is not necessarily unsafe as long as it is stored properly, and that many shoppers can benefit from such savings.

But what is the situation in Thailand? According to a study of food loss and waste in highland communities, the loss is primarily caused by inadequate harvesting and processing methods. In the rice sector in particular, 18.33 kg per rai was lost after harvest. And there is also considerable potential for improvement in the household: an average household produces 574 kg of rice waste and 282 kg of side dish waste every year. These numbers illustrate how important it is to promote education about responsible food handling.

Global and local challenges

Globally, we are facing enormous challenges. Around 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost or thrown away every year - this corresponds to a third of global production. While in developing countries the loss occurs mainly during harvest and production, in developed countries such as Europe and North America more than half of food is thrown away in retail and household markets. The aim is to halve food waste at retail and consumer levels by 2030, as set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Thailand lacks clear data on food losses and waste, making it difficult to plan and improve waste management. The lack of effective systems often leads to pollution, unpleasant odors and greenhouse gas emissions such as methane. It is important to develop more efficient strategies here.

The influence of “Beyond Best Before”

Katie and Maggie Quach have now saved over half a million food items through Beyond Best Before and are constantly looking for ways to expand their reach. They also plan to launch an e-commerce platform to offer nationwide delivery, which is becoming increasingly important. The idea is not only innovative, but also shows a clear trend towards social companies that are committed to sustainability. In a world affected by rising costs of living and climate change, this company shows that it is possible to combine economic success and environmental awareness.

Whether through creative business models or conscious consumption – everyone can do their part to reduce food waste. It remains to be hoped that such initiatives will also be followed in Thailand in order to further increase awareness of the value of food.

To learn more about these topics, here are some useful links: Bangkok Biz News, HRDI and Federal Environment Agency.