Food waste is such a ... waste! The sheer magnitude of this issue is staggering. Consider this - one-third of all food produced worldwide is lost or wasted annually, worth about $1 Trillion US dollars, while 1 in 4 Americans suffer from food insecurity. It boggles the mind that such an abundant resource can be squandered while so many go hungry. Another striking statistic reveals that a quarter of all freshwater goes into producing food that is never eaten, exacerbating our water scarcity concerns. And if that wasn't enough, wasted food alone would rank as the third-largest producer of carbon dioxide worldwide if considered its own country, only trailing behind behemoth nations like the USA and China. These sobering facts highlight how avoidable this problem is and call us to action with urgency and responsibility.
Doesn’t food just break down in the landfill?
While some may assume that throwing away food is harmless, data reveals a different story. When food is thrown in the trash, it ends up in landfills, where it decomposes without oxygen, producing methane—a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. This process also contaminates our groundwater.
What is the U.S. doing about it?
Eleven U.S. states have organic waste bans and recycling laws to redirect food waste from landfills to mitigate environmental impacts. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and EPA announced the U.S. 2030 Food Loss and Waste Reduction goal to cut food loss and waste in half by 2030. The EPA acknowledges that the U.S. still has a long way to go to meet the 2030 target.
Why does this matter?
Reducing food waste is one of the most impactful actions we can take to address environmental concerns, minimize resource depletion, and alleviate food insecurity. The average American produces around 5 lbs of trash a day. In my family of four, we only produce 1 lb of trash per week, and no organic waste ends up in landfills. We get this granular to demonstrate that it's easier than it may seem. We still buy things, order takeout, and shop at Costco.
What can I do?
There are countless ways to reduce food waste in your daily life. Here are five everyday tips to get you started:
Plan your meals and create a shopping list to avoid buying more than you need (remember to check your fridge to see what you have)
Store food properly to extend its shelf life. Be mindful of labels with "best before" dates, as they often indicate quality rather than safety.
Use leftovers creatively. For example, old bananas make delicious banana bread, soft vegetables are perfect for soup, and stale bread can be toasted into croutons or breadcrumbs. Remember, you can also freeze the surplus for another day.
Compost food scraps in your curbside pickup (if available), community composting, or in your backyard or balcony rather than tossing them in the trash.
Share surplus food with friends, neighbors, and local Buy Nothing groups, or support local food banks or community fridges.
Can I really fix this problem?
It's vital to realize that we can quickly reduce food waste, even just a little. By becoming aware of the issue, we have already taken a significant step forward in making a difference. If you already know about this problem, please spread the word or take further action. Remember, small changes make a significant impact, especially when a lot of us are making them.
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