Brewing craft beer with discarded pasta – upcycling in action
The circular economy offers a powerful solution to the global food system’s dual challenge: feeding a growing population while reducing environmental impact. Central to this is the issue of food waste, which contributes significantly to carbon emissions. In the UK alone, over 9.5 million tons of food are wasted annually, with much of it still edible. Innovators are now transforming surplus food into valuable resources, turning waste into opportunity. One example is the brewing industry, where surplus fresh pasta—a carbohydrate-rich food often discarded due to overproduction—is repurposed into craft beer. By replacing 50% of malted barley with surplus pasta, brewers reduce carbon emissions while maintaining alcohol yield. This approach exemplifies “cascading use,” prioritizing high-value reuse before disposal. However, policy support is essential to scale such models, including regulatory clarity and incentives. Successfully integrating circular systems into existing industries could revolutionize food production and sustainability, proving that waste can be the beginning of something new. Learn more about this innovation.
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