The impact Veganuary has on sustainability

It’s January, the month of resolutions, fresh starts, and… Veganuary! This global movement encourages individuals to ditch animal products for a month, offering a chance to explore the world of plant-based eating and its many benefits. But beyond personal health, Veganuary boasts a powerful punch when it comes to sustainability. Let’s delve into how this plant-powered pledge can make a world of difference for our planet and how you can reduce the amount of food waste you produce.

How Veganuary drives sustainability

Veganuary and The land

The sheer land required for animal agriculture dwarfs that of plant-based food production. Shifting towards plant-based alternatives addresses this environmental burden head-on, simultaneously freeing up vast quantities of precious land. A comprehensive, peer-reviewed study by Oxford’s esteemed population health professor Peter Scarborough has shown that adopting a vegan lifestyle demands a staggering 75% less land, a drastic change compared to meat-heavy diets. The benefits extend beyond land use, with this dietary shift also contributing to a remarkable 66% reduction in biodiversity loss.

How to reduce your carbon footprint with one simple change

Livestock farming is an important part of the global food industry but also poses environmental challenges. Animal agriculture accounts for approximately 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing those from all types of transportation combined. There are methods to reduce the carbon footprint of our diet, including opting for plant-based alternatives like oat milk and beans over animal products.

Types of Farming and Their Environmental Emissions

Beef

Beef production is responsible for approximately half of the greenhouse gas emissions generated by livestock farming. Livestock production as a whole contributes roughly 14.5% to total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Key contributors:

• Methane production: Cows produce substantial amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during digestion.
• Land use: Raising cattle requires large areas of land, often leading to deforestation.
• Feed production: Growing feed for cattle also contributes to emissions.
• Manure management: Improperly managed manure can release nitrous oxide, another potent greenhouse gas.

Pork

Pork production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, although less than beef. It’s estimated to be responsible for around 9% of global livestock-related emissions.

Key contributors:

• Feed production: A major source of emissions.
• Manure management: Improperly managed manure can release nitrous oxide, another potent greenhouse gas.

Chicken & Eggs

Chicken production is estimated to contribute around 4-6% of global livestock-related emissions.

Key contributors:

• Growing impact: The increasing global demand for poultry is leading to a rise in its environmental impact.
• Feed production: Still a significant factor.
• Manure management: Improperly managed manure can release nitrous oxide, another potent greenhouse gas.

Vegetables

Plant-based foods, such as vegetables, have the lowest environmental impact among these food sources. Studies show that the environmental impact of plant-based foods is typically 10 to 50 times smaller than that of animal products, depending on the specific crops grown and farming practices.

The Case for Plant-Based Diets

Studies show that adopting a vegan lifestyle can make a remarkable 50% difference in carbon footprint compared to an omnivorous diet. Participating in Veganuary, therefore, provides a clear and impactful opportunity to address the environmental crisis by making one conscious food choice at a time.

Save 54% More Water by Choosing Plant-Based Options this Veganuary

As concerns over sustainability and resource conservation continue to gain attention, the impact of animal agriculture on water consumption cannot be ignored. Studies have shown that compared to plant-based alternatives, animal products consume an average of 54% more water per unit produced. This disparity is even more striking when looking at water use per calorie, with beef exhibiting a footprint twenty times larger than cereals and starchy roots. As population growth and climate change put increasing pressure on our natural resources, transitioning to plant-based options can serve as a critical tool in preserving the precious resource of water for future generations.

How to manage your food waste this Veganuary

During Veganuary, many organisations are promoting a plant-based diet, which can increase food waste. At Bywaters, we understand the importance of tackling food waste and its impact on the environment. Our team is well-versed in dealing with food waste and providing sustainable solutions to our clients. Through our partnerships and acquisitions of some of the most sustainability-focused companies, we can help you become more environmentally friendly by providing anaerobic digestion as a service. This process breaks down your food waste into renewable energy, which can be used to transport your waste.

By utilising our services, you can easily maintain a clean and sustainable building, all while benefiting from the energy produced as a by-product. Trust our experienced team to provide reliable waste management that meets your building’s unique needs.

As the new year begins, managing the influx of food waste can be a daunting task for any building. At Bywaters, we offer a professional solution through anaerobic digestion, a process that turns food waste into renewable energy. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped to handle all types of organic refuse, reducing the impact of landfills on our environment. By utilising our services, you can easily maintain a clean and sustainable building, all while benefiting from the energy produced as a by-product. Trust our experienced team to provide reliable waste management that meets your building’s unique needs.

What is Anaerobic Digestion?

The issue of food waste in the UK cannot be ignored. According to Vision 2020’s latest study, 14.8 million tons of food were discarded last year alone, with 40% of that food sent to landfill. The environmental impact of this waste cannot be overstated: food waste in landfills emits methane, which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide when it comes to trapping heat in our atmosphere. This greenhouse effect accelerates global warming, negatively affecting our ecosystem. However, anaerobic digestion provides a solution to this problem. Through this natural process, organic matter is broken down by microorganisms and biogas is released, which can be converted into renewable energy. Additionally, the byproduct of anaerobic digestion is a nutrient-rich fibre that can be used as a fertiliser, further reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

The Process: Anaerobic Digestion

Any responsible waste management approach must encompass methods to tackle food waste. This process not only addresses the environmental consequences of food waste but also brings numerous benefits, such as the creation of high-quality fertilisers and clean, renewable energy. Once collected, your food waste is transported to state-of-the-art anaerobic digestion facilities, which help reduce carbon emissions. The food decomposes and releases methane, which is captured, treated for purity and fed back into the National Grid. Meanwhile, the remaining decomposed material is used as fertilisers in farmland. This is an ecologically-friendly approach to promoting sustainable growth without harmful chemicals.

Anaerobic digestion is a process that has been employed in recent years to promote the sustainable use of resources while also managing waste. This process breaks down organic materials such as food waste without oxygen, producing biogas and nutrients as by-products. Bywaters is one of the leading providers of anaerobic digestion solutions in the UK, aimed at diverting food waste from landfills while producing renewable energy. With a high level of expertise and the latest technology, Bywaters is able to deliver efficient, reliable and cost-effective solutions that meet the needs of commercial and industrial organisations across the country. Whether you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint or need to comply with regulations related to waste management, Bywaters can help you achieve your goals in a manner that is both sustainable and socially responsible.

Your food – your choice

The start of a new year is the perfect time to make a positive change for your health and the environment. Veganuary represents the opportunity to consciously choose to consume plant-based foods, whether for the duration of the month or a longer period. Not only does this change benefit your health, but it also allows for a reduction in waste streams. When managing your food waste, Bywaters is here to support you in making that shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle. With our waste management solutions, together, we can make a difference and create a greener future.