21/01/2025
As we step into the New Year, many of us will do so with resolutions in mind. For some, this may be to develop a healthy habit or learn new skills that contribute to bettering oneself. Whether or not you have a personal goal in mind for 2025, a resolution we should all strive for is a conscious shift towards implementing sustainable practices in our daily lives.
Outside of basic household recycling and eco-friendly methods of transport – taking our empty beers to the bottle bank or walking to work when possible – we may be quick to forget other aspects of sustainable living within our control, such as the environmental impact of our dietary choices.
To highlight the issue with a fan favourite, the average Brit consumes 37 burgers each year, contributing to the surging value of the UK burger industry that now boasts total takings of more than £15billion annually. Unbeknownst to many, the cost of a cheeseburger isn’t only measured in pounds. Emitting a staggering 99 kilograms of CO2e per kilogram, beef accounts for the largest carbon footprint of any food owing to its resource-intensive production process. Whilst your bank balance and waistline might be front of mind, the environment is also paying the price.
It may be time for you to reconsider your go-to menu item. Before sitting down to your next meal, we encourage you to explore our recent blog series as an insightful aperitif that sheds light on the environmental impact of the food and beverage industry, as well as the subsequent innovations driving positive change in the kitchen and beyond.
The Sustainable Café #1: Amuse-bouche
The role of the food and beverage industry in sustainable innovation is often overlooked. The significant carbon footprint of our diet, particularly from meat consumption, is undeniable and cannot be excused. Beyond consumer choices, is there any innovation that could drive down the carbon cost of our food and beverages?
The Sustainable Café #2: Hot beverages
A deep dive into the environmental and ethical challenges associated with the production of hot beverages like coffee and tea, highlighting issues such as deforestation, water use, labour exploitation, and waste. Solutions include alternatives to traditional coffee beans, reduction/repurposing of waste, and a push towards eco-friendly packaging.
The Sustainable Café #3: Full English Breakfast
There is a significant carbon footprint associated with the production of pork sausage and bacon, largely due to pig feed containing soya imported from deforested areas. Innovations like regulated swill-feeding and plant-based alternatives could significantly reduce carbon emissions. In this article, we also discuss the environmental impact of all the trimmings such as tomatoes, eggs, and bread. How can we make the traditional English breakfast more sustainable?
The Sustainable Café #4: Desserts
The growing demand for sugar used in production of traditional sweet treats has driven a series of environmental issues such as a rise in habitat loss and the degradation of biodiverse ecosystems. With this in mind, we present a mouth-wateringly sustainable dessert menu, chock full of tasty alternatives and exciting innovations that are working towards making your favourite desserts more environmentally friendly.
We suspect you’re probably full up by now, but it isn’t likely to last. Next time you need to sate your appetite, think twice and consider the product life cycle of your food. If you’re at a loss for personal resolutions in 2025, but want to make a meaningful change, go the extra mile and join those on a drive to make their own habits more sustainable in 2025.
At Reddie & Grose LLP, our team of skilled patent attorneys brings extensive experience in securing patents for innovations across a wide range of sectors. Please contact us for expert advice on innovation and the steps needed to safeguard inventions.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
