One strategy for reducing food waste’s environmental impact seems contrary to common sense: Open more grocery stores. That’s according to new research from Elena Belavina, an expert in operations management and supply chains.
The food we throw out because it goes bad when cleaning out the fridge makes a surprisingly large contribution to global warming. One-third of all food produced is wasted, a problem responsible for carbon emissions (排放物) equivalent to all road transportation, said Belavina.
When consumers can purchase food nearby, they shop more often but buy less each time, ultimately wasting less. “The more stores you have, the lower food waste is going to be,” said Belavina. “Very small increases in store density (密度) can have a very high impact.”
Belavina found that in Chicago, which she said is typical of many American cities, adding just three or four markets within a 10-square-kilometer area would reduce food waste by 6% to 9%. That would achieve an emissions reduction comparable to converting (改装) more than 20,000 cars from petrol to electric power.
Most big cities are well below the ideal density of grocery stores that would minimize food waste, the research determined. In Chicago, that would be about 200 markets within a 10-square-kilometer area — compared to 15 currently — but most of the benefit from reduced emissions would be achieved by about 50 markets. New York City, with its abundance of produce stands and neighborhood markets, comes closest to its ideal density.
Urban planners, city governments and activists should pursue policies encouraging an ideal density of grocery stores based on each city’s population, she said. Chain stores’ sustainability plans should analyze how their store networks and supply chains contribute to food waste and emissions overall.
“We actually see some moves toward going a little bit back in time and those small corner stores and mom-and-pop stores are making a comeback,” she said.
4. Why can higher store density reduce food waste?
A.There are more stores to supply fresh food. | B.There are more stores to deal with food waste. |
C.Consumers can spend less time on buying food. | D.Consumers needn’t overbuy their groceries. |
5. How many markets are there per 10 square kilometers in Chicago now?
A.15 markets. | B.About 4 markets. | C.About 50 markets. | D.About 200 markets. |
6. What does Belavina think of small corner stores and mom-and-pop stores?
A.They are helpful. | B.They are a problem. |
C.They are of little help. | D.They do better than grocery stores. |
7. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?
A.Buy Less, Eat Less | B.Ideal Density of Grocery Stores |
C.Food Waste and Global Warming | D.More Grocery Stores, Less Food Waste |