Environmental Initiatives II Flashcards
Why does every meal have an environmental impact?
Every meal has an environmental impact at each stage in the agri-food system because something is removed or added to the environment
Why is it hard for companies to source environmentally friendly products?
Since we source products from a supply chain that is global and complex, Agricultural producers in different areas of the world may not have the same regulations for agriculture and do not necessarily use the “best management practices” that are adopted in Canada to protect soil, water and wildlife
What are the negative impacts of cocoa, coffee and cotton farming in developing countries?
Can contribute to:
- Deforestation
- soil degradation
- reduction of water quality
- loss of habitat for wildlife
- Reduces species diversity
What is the company approaches as an initiative for the environment?
Producers and companies can support by creating guiding principles and best practices they train employees to follow
-can set company wide targets
What are eco labels?
Ecolabels and certification systems can be used to define standards of production
Why do farmers become certified?
for their land in production that meets the requirements of higher standards. An independent certification company conducts an audit each year to renew the certification.
Why aren eco labels not effective?
because they do not define the value of the environmental initiativ
What are the benefits to businesses that support environmental initiatives?
Increased tree cover
Conserved soil quality
Reduced chemical use
Protection of wildlife
What is the largest manufacturing industry in Canada?
The processing industry
-Manufacturing facilities can influence the environment, so any improvements can have valuable outcomes.
What are the issues with energy and water consumption in the processing industry?
Accounts fo 9% of energy expenditure in canada
-used to cook, heat, pack, store, handle, sterilize, freeze etc
Water is used for washing food and sanitizing facility
-creates water waste
What are initiatives for the efficiency and innovative engineering for processing?
Improvements in energy efficiency can significantly reduce the use of resources and the cost of production.
What are the benefits to improving efficiency during processing?
Reduced demand for water and water treatment
Reduced demand for energy
Why is packaging used?
Protect from contamination
Maintine food quality
Advertise product
What are the potential issues for packaging pollution?
When a package is no longer useful it is discarded to environment where it may cause pollution
-most accumulates in landfill
The impact on the environment depends on the type of material used for the package
What are the initiatives to deal with packaging?
Reducing material use (by weight)
Increasing the proportion of recycled, recyclable and compostable materials
How is sustainable packaging developed?
by considering the life cycle of a package from the acquisition of the raw materials to its manufacture and disposal
What re the benefits of changing the type and quantity of packaging?
Reduction in the amount of resources that go into packaging
Diversion of packaging from disposal to reuse, recycling or composting
Lower energy and water use to create a smaller package
Fewer trucks on the road to transport the same quantity of food product
What are the issues with climate change and air quality in transportation?
Traffic emits greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change
Transportation also contributes air pollutants, causing smog and poor air quality
Out-of-date technology is inefficient because it has higher emissions than new technology.
Drivers who are uninformed about energy efficiency may idle or take long routes that waste energy
Larger than necessary package sizes require more trucks
What are the initiatives to reducing pollution in transportation?
New tech can improve efficiency by replacing old tech
Good Practices: Food distributors plan to efficiently deliver food to where it is needed, which saves money.
- include redesigning the product package size to fit more in each shipment, and reducing the total number of trips
- driver also optimizes the route
What are the benefits to improving tech?
Reducing fuel consumption
Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants
What are the issues with energy use in retail?
Supermarkets are some of the greatest energy users of all commercial buildings
-by running appliances for heating and refrigeration. may emit GHG
Food waste occurs when food is discarded even though it was meant for human consumption
-a result of management decisions during ready-made food production and product ordering
What re the initiatives to reduce energy use and food waste in retail?
Energy:
-benchmarking (continually reviewing energy use
Reducing Food waste:
-food waste initiatives (imperfect fruits, food banks)
What is Corporate social responsibility?
A set of voluntary principles and practices that define how a company approaches economic, social and environmental sustainability
When do company principles occur?
The principles guide the culture that employees practice and the decision-making that occurs during company operations
-ensures that there is a cohesive set of company values even though companies despite the number of people
What benefits do companies see that practice corporate social reasonability?
Greater risk management prevents disastrous outcomes
Improved reputation leads to consumer trust
Gains in production due to operational efficiency
What pieces do we have to coordinate environmental protection?
Industry: can create environmental issues while performing their operations to supply food, fibre and fuel to consumers
Consumer: determine the type and quantity of foods that are produced by industry because of their purchasing decisions
Government: plays the role of regulating and incentivizing cooperation in the agri-food system
