Tools & Resources

We’ve created a number of tools and resources to help you use the FLW Standard.

Have feedback on these resources? Send us a note at flwprotocol@wri.org.

Overcoming Resistance to Measurement

For some companies, measuring food loss and waste can be a big cultural adjustment. As a result, the individuals charged with measuring the amount of food loss and waste at their company (or asking suppliers to do so) may encounter inertia against, or resistance to, measuring. This guidance summarizes the concerns people may raise about measuring food loss and waste, why they may have those concerns, and recommendations for how to respond in a way that inspires them to get on board with your organization’s goals. You can use these recommendations to help overcome resistance to measuring food loss and waste within your own organization—or to convince clients or companies in your supply chain to do so.

Read it here: Overcoming resistance to measurement

Connecting Food Loss and Waste to Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Guidance for Companies

A significant amount of the food produced globally is never eaten (Flanagan et al. 2019). This food loss and waste (FLW) squanders the energy, resources, and money that went into producing, processing, packaging, and transporting the food. Given that the food system contributes around a quarter of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted globally (Searchinger et al. 2019), reducing the amount of food lost or wasted is an important contributor to reducing GHG emissions and slowing down climate change.₁

Linking the reduction of FLW to its potential for reducing associated GHG emissions is one powerful way for companies to highlight the value of FLW reduction, in addition to other significant business and societal benefits.₂

Download the Full Publication

1. About 8 percent of global GHG emissions are associated with FLW, according to estimates by FAO (2013). Cutting FLW rates in half could close the gap between food needed in 2050 and food available in 2010 by more than 20 percent. In terms of the GHG impact, it would lower GHG emissions by 1.5–3 gigatons of carbon dioxide equiva- lent (CO2e) per year by 2050 (which is more than the amount of energy and industry-related emissions of Japan) (Searchinger et al. 2019).

2. Project Drawdown ranks FLW reduction in its top 3 global climate change mitigation solutions, counting both the reduced farm-level emissions as well as the reduced need to clear forests for agriculture as the population grows (Hawken 2017).

Prioritizing Which Crops to Focus On at the Production Level

Food loss and waste (FLW) occurs throughout the food supply chain, with actions upstream affecting FLW downstream (and vice versa). As more businesses begin measuring the FLW happening within their own operations, they are increasingly working with their suppliers to measure and reduce upstream FLW as well. This interactive Excel tool aims to help companies prioritize on which commmodities to focus. By comparing several commodities with these criteria in mind, a company can assess which commodities to prioritize for on- or near-farm level measurement.

Download the interactive tool here: Prioritizing on which crops to focus (for downstream companies interested in understanding farm-level food loss and waste)

Guidance on Quantification Methods

You have several options for how to quantify food loss and waste.

In this companion to the FLW Standard, you will find guidance on 10 of the most common methods. To help you select which method may be most appropriate for your circumstances, try out the FLW Quantification Method Ranking Tool. This straight-forward tool offers suggestions based on a short set of questions.

GUIDANCE ON FLW QUANTIFICATION METHODS

FLW QUANTIFICATION METHOD RANKING TOOL

Individual Chapters from the Guidance on FLW Quantification Methods

Requirements in the FLW Standard

This simple Word document provides a summary table of the eight reporting and accounting requirements contained in the FLW Standard (Chapter 4). Guidance on implementing these requirements is provided throughout the FLW Standard, with further guidance about reporting your food loss and waste inventory included in Chapter 13.

Sample Reporting Template

This sample reporting template will help you record and report the results of inventories conducted using the FLW Standard. You can enter the items you are required to report to be in conformance with the FLW Standard, and create a summary of your food loss and waste inventory.

This Data Capture Sheet is intended for common use worldwide, and is supported by WRAP, Champions 12.3, the World Resources Institute and the Consumer Goods Forum.

Summarizing the Scope of a Food Loss and Waste Inventory

The FLW Standard makes it easy to describe the scope of what you’re measuring. Download a simple visual you can use in presentations or otherwise.

Terms and Definitions Used in the FLW Standard

Find a summary of key terms and definitions used in the FLW Standard.

Food Loss and Waste Value Calculator

The FLW Value Calculator (in beta test version) creates a snapshot of the impacts related to the loss and waste of different types of food. With this knowledge you can demonstrate how your efforts to prevent food loss and waste provide nutritional and environmental value.

How and Why to Measure Food Loss and Waste: A Practical Guide

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation released a Practical Guide and a Technical Report on why and how to measure food loss and waste. These materials are available HERE. The site provides a clear, simple measurement checklist that any entity, at any stage in the food supply chain, can use to get started. The site also provides a short summary of FLW matters for executive leadership, as well as a business cost calculator and a series of case studies.

Sector-Specific Guidance

Find sector-specific guidance about using the FLW Standard on the FAQ page.

Excluding the Weight of Packaging from the Weight of FLW

The definition of food loss / waste (FLW) does not include packaging such as boxes, wrapping, or plastic containers. Therefore the Food Loss and Waste Accounting and Reporting Standard (also referred to as the FLW Standard) requires users of the Standard
to exclude the weight of any packaging from an FLW inventory. This document describes three approaches you could use for excluding the weight of packaging from the weight of FLW.

Download the interactive guide here: Excluding the weight of packaging from the weight of FLW

Additional Resources

These additional tools and guides can help you know more about the causes, extent and effects of food loss and waste. These materials are separate from the FLW Standard, and have been developed by other organizations.

Overcoming Resistance to Measurement

Overcoming Resistance to Measurement

Connecting Food Loss and Waste to Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Guidance for Companies

Connecting Food Loss and Waste to Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Guidance for Companies

Prioritizing Which Crops to Focus On at the Production Level

Prioritizing Which Crops to Focus On at the Production Level

Guidance on Quantification Methods

Guidance on Quantification Methods

Individual Chapters from the Guidance on FLW Quantification Methods

Requirements in the FLW Standard

Requirements in the FLW Standard

Sample Reporting Template

Sample Reporting Template

Summarizing the Scope of a Food Loss and Waste Inventory

Summarizing the Scope of a Food Loss and Waste Inventory

Terms and Definitions Used in the FLW Standard

Terms and Definitions Used in the FLW Standard

Food Loss and Waste Value Calculator

Food Loss and Waste Value Calculator

How and Why to Measure Food Loss and Waste: A Practical Guide

How and Why to Measure Food Loss and Waste: A Practical Guide

Sector-Specific Guidance

Sector-Specific Guidance

Excluding the Weight of Packaging from the Weight of FLW

Excluding the Weight of Packaging from the Weight of FLW

Additional Resources

Additional Resources

Nestlé Dairy Factories in Pakistan: Losses Across the Value Chain

Delhaize America’s Operations in the United States: Food Waste in Stores and Distribution Centers

Kellogg Company: Food Waste in Global Manufacturing Operations

Tools & Resources

Individual Chapters from the Guidance on FLW Quantification Methods

Stay In Touch and Informed