On the House

Assoc. Prof. Simon Lockrey: Consumer Food Waste Initiatives | On the House #28

Food waste is one of household management’s most pervasive yet unnoticed problems. This episode will tackle food waste in daily life by providing practical strategies that listeners can implement.

Meet Prof. Simon Lockrey

Dr. Simon Lockrey is a leading researcher in sustainability and design innovation. He works in life cycle assessment, resource efficiency, and waste reduction.

Collaborating with major companies and governments worldwide, he has generated millions in research funding and influenced policy and commercial practices. A key figure in major research initiatives like the Fight Food Waste CRC, his efforts aim to halve Australian food waste by 2030.

About the episode

The podcast started with a definition of household management. They discussed the definition, misconceptions, and needs of household management. Dr. Simon believes that household management is a nexus of systems that you must take care of daily, from energy consumption to waste disposal and even social relationships.

This ties into the next discussion about the different needs of every household. The people in the household are composed of diverse factors, and thus this level is the most unpredictable and nebulous in terms of managing food waste. Nevertheless, Dr. Simon revealed that despite these hindrances, there are ways to manage waste on the household level.

He discussed the Fight Food Waste Initiative, which is composed of three areas: food waste reduction, food waste transformation, and fighting food waste through community engagement. Through these areas, his initiative helps people be more mindful of waste throughout all parts of the supply chain, from farm to fork.

Aside from explaining his work, Dr. Simon also shared key insights about food waste. He discussed the core issues of food waste: it is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, a missed opportunity to redistribute resources to those who need them, and a huge financial cost to systems and households alike. They also delved deep into an interesting discussion about exactly how food waste affects other people. 

More importantly, the discussion then centered around strategies to minimize food waste. Some simple and practical tips include reusing plastics, using technology to manage your food inventory, and planning your consumption properly.

In conclusion

Responsible homeowners should manage their household in a way that is good for themselves, the people around them, and even the environment. While food waste at the household level can be difficult to tackle, implementing the simple tips contained in this episode can be a good start.

Be the first to see our next episode. Follow us on social media to stay updated:

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

You can also subscribe and listen to the show on your preferred podcasting platforms:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

iHeart Radio

Podbean

PlayerFM

Podchaser

Google Podcast

James Presbitero

Recent Posts

How to Evaluate Product Quality and Value Before You Buy

How long do you evaluate a product before buying it? A couple of seconds? Hours,…

2 days ago

How to Manage Grandparent Relationships

Ever felt caught in the middle when your parents have strong opinions about how you're…

3 days ago

How to Use Preventive Social Services for Families

Many parents are burning out without even realizing it, as they try to balance work,…

5 days ago

Is Independence in Relationships a Threat to Stability or a Source of Strength?

Independence is valued in modern life. When you're self-reliant, you are seen as competent by…

5 days ago

Why Toilet Hygiene Matters

Toilet hygiene is one of those things you rarely talk about but practice every day.…

1 week ago

The Health Effects of Smoking, and How it Shortens Your Lifespan

Smoking is dangerous, yet millions still light up each day. This is not just a…

1 week ago