Reducing domestic food waste by lowering home refrigerator temperatures
Journal article
Brown, T, Hipps, N, Easteal, S, Parry, A and Evans, JA (2014). Reducing domestic food waste by lowering home refrigerator temperatures. International Journal of Refrigeration. 40, pp. 246-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2013.11.021
Authors | Brown, T, Hipps, N, Easteal, S, Parry, A and Evans, JA |
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Abstract | Domestic refrigerators often operate at temperatures which are higher than ideal for chilled food storage, with several studies finding averages around 7 C. Reducing temperatures for example to 4 C could significantly extend storage lives, giving greater opportunity for use before disposal. However, the savings in costs and emissions associated with reduced waste must be balanced against those associated with increased energy consumption at lower temperatures. Based on published storage lives of foods which are currently refrigerated and UK waste statistics, reducing from 7 C to 4 C could save £162.9 m of waste annually, with associated emissions of 270,000 tonnes CO2e. Including certain foods which are not always refrigerated and removing others which do not benefit from refrigeration, the estimated savings increased to £283.8 m and 578,383 tonnes CO2e. Based on experimental assessment, the costs and emissions associated with increased fridge energy consumption were considerably lower at £80.9 m and 367,411 tonnes CO2e. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved. |
Keywords | 09 Engineering; Mechanical Engineering & Transports |
Year | 2014 |
Journal | International Journal of Refrigeration |
Journal citation | 40, pp. 246-253 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
ISSN | 0140-7007 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2013.11.021 |
Publication dates | |
01 Apr 2014 | |
Online | 03 Dec 2013 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 16 May 2017 |
Accepted | 22 Nov 2013 |
Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/87851
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