Meat Loss and Environmental Impact : a study of the meat processing industry of Sri Lanka (2014 – 2024)

Sammanfattning

The global challenge of food loss and waste (FLW) continues to undermine environmental sustainability and food security, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Meat loss is crucial among food categories because it is relatively less economically viable and poses a significant burden. In Sri Lanka, processed meat products, especially sausages and meatballs, form a major share of the meat industry, However, little is known about the extent of meat loss during the processing stage or its environmental implications. This study estimated the extent of processed meat loss during the processing stage in Sri Lanka's processing sector and its associated carbon footprint. Data was collected from seven industry facilities over eleven years period (2014 to 2024) through structured data requests on production volumes and product wastages during processing stages, supported by secondary literature. Results indicated an average meat loss of 2,400,000kg annually, 10.3% of production volume. Fluctuations were observed in meat loss percentages within the range from 9.9% to 11% during 11 years. Calculations were made to estimate the carbon footprint based on the Sri Lankan-specific emission factor of 0.3 kg CO₂e per kilogram of chicken meat, which reflects the emission only up to the raw meat availability stage. A 60% minimum meat content assumption, derived from SLS 1218:2001 for comminuted meat products, was applied to estimate the actual meat lost. The estimated carbon emissions from processing-stage losses in 2024 amounted to approximately 550 tonnes CO₂e, highlighting a significant environmental burden. This value excludes emissions from further processing activities and thus represents a conservative estimate. Nevertheless, it remains within the range of total emissions reported in international lifecycle studies of poultry products. This study provides a baseline for understanding processing-stage meat loss and its environmental implications in Sri Lanka. It highlights the need for standardized data collection and integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools tailored to Sri Lanka’s context to improve accuracy and facilitate cross-sector comparisons. These insights can also guide future interventions aimed at reducing emissions and enhancing resource efficiency through industry automation, cold chain improvements, and employee training in Sri Lanka’s meat processing industry.