{"id":126803,"date":"2024-03-29T09:26:56","date_gmt":"2024-03-29T02:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thestorythailand.com\/?p=126803"},"modified":"2024-03-29T09:27:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T02:27:00","slug":"leveraging-retail-automation-to-reduce-food-waste-in-thailand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thestorythailand.com\/en\/leveraging-retail-automation-to-reduce-food-waste-in-thailand\/","title":{"rendered":"Leveraging retail automation to reduce food waste in Thailand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The amount of food waste generated in Thailand has become a significant challenge. According to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, more than 60% of Thailand\u2019s waste is food waste. In 2022, Thailand produced 17 million tons of wasted food: this originates both from spoilage and spill in the supply chain and from waste by retailers, restaurants, and consumers. These numbers are alarming, particularly when only a tiny amount is recycled. Bangkok is able to recycle only 2% of the food waste collected<\/a>. The rest ends up in landfills, where hygiene is not a priority. The extensive food waste contributes to environmental, social and economic impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When inventory stock exceeds demand, particularly for fresh products, retailers face significant challenges in managing waste, which can result in markdowns or spoilage. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP)  revealed that producing and consuming food is the biggest driver of nature loss<\/a>. Siloed and manual food systems are using resources inefficiently. In addition to food waste, we also waste the energy and water required for food production, harvesting, transportation, and packaging. The Pollution Control Department<\/a> has set a roadmap to reduce the proportion of food waste in municipal solid waste from 39 percent to under 28 percent by 2027, focusing on retail and consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the particular issue, Onni Rautio<\/strong>, Sales Director at RELEX Solutions, shared, \u201cFood waste is a serious problem that can only be solved through a combination of both individual and collective efforts. Aside from getting smarter about our food consumption to address pressing waste issues, leveraging retail automation presents a promising solution for retailers to contribute to reducing food waste issues in Thailand. Furthermore, automation helps streamline inventory management efficiently, optimise ordering processes, and minimise manual handling, leading to more sustainable and efficient retail practices. By preventing overstocking and accurately predicting demand, automation effectively minimises surplus food items being wasted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bEffective food waste management strategies are essential to mitigating these impacts. Some of the roles of retail automation in reducing food waste include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n