Apeel Sciences has spotlighted its environmental achievements for 2023, highlighting its work on cutting food waste.
Apeel says it has significantly reduced food waste and its associated environmental impacts with its plant-based technology that creates a natural protective shield around produce.
In a news release, the company said its 2023 milestone achievements included:
- Prevented over 60 million pieces of fruit from going to waste — Apeel helps keep fruit fresh longer so that it has more time to be enjoyed by more people.
- Significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions — By curbing food waste, Apeel blocked the release of over 9 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere — akin to the carbon sequestration of planting 151,600 trees.
- Conserved water resources — The use of Apeel’s technology saved 2.7 billion liters of water, equivalent to 1,100 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
“Food waste and its negative effects on our climate are very real, global problems that demand immediate action from us all,” Apeel Sciences CEO Luiz Beling said in the release. “Our achievements last year demonstrate that innovative technologies like our plant-based coating that keeps produce fresh longer has a tangible benefit to the planet. We’re contributing to a healthier world by ensuring more food nourishes communities while less ends up in landfills.”
About one-third of food is lost or wasted through the supply chain, in stores or in homes, the release said. According to the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024, food waste accounts for 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the urgent need for solutions.
Apeel says it also helps its partners achieve their own environmental, social and governance goals. By selling fresher produce that reduces food waste, companies minimize their environmental impact, enhance food security, and support improved agricultural practices.
“We’re targeting a major source of greenhouse gas emissions when we reduce food waste,” Beling said. “Apeel’s technology is a powerful weapon in suppliers’ and retailers’ arsenals, offering them a way to significantly cut emissions and drive progress towards their own conservation goals.”
