That viral stat about 40% of food getting thrown out? I tried to track it to the source and hit a dead end in 3 hours.

Tessa Carr · 2026-10-14T15:00:11.029655+00:00

The number traces back to a 2011 report that used a model, not actual bin measurements, and later studies put the real number closer to 30%. I emailed the original authors twice and never got a reply, which tells you how solid the whole thing is. Anyone know where the newer estimates come from?

Vivisector

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That viral stat about 40% of food getting thrown out? I tried to track it to the source and hit a dead end in 3 hours. | Debate the Data - Vivisector