About 33% of food produced in the world is wasted every year. This leads to a loss of $1 trillion dollars to the global economy and one billion meals a day.
So how much does that mean we waste in America every year? Nearly 60 million tons!
Food waste is highest in homes, which means making a difference starts right at home. Experts say 60% of the food waste happens within our households. Each person wastes about one pound of food per day.
Reducing food waste keeps us healthy! Food waste has a major impact on our air, water, and landfills. Fuller landfills mean they need more land, which increases the cost of land for everyone. Decaying food waste produces gasses that harm our air quality and produce strong odors. Yearly American food waste is equal to 37 million cars on the road. Lower your food waste, save money, and breathe a little easier!
Just like other materials, food waste can be managed with reducing, reusing, and lastly recycling. So, what can we do to make a difference?
Reduce
- First in, First out: Organize your food by placing newest in back and oldest in front. So when you reach for a snack, you’re using the older snack that will go bad before the newer one!
- Meal Planning: Making a grocery list before going to the store can help reduce over-purchasing foods that may not need or consume.
- Leftovers: Don’t toss out the leftovers once you finish your dinner. Pack up the extras and take them for lunch the next day or share with a friend or neighbor.
Reuse
- Freeze Away: Many foods are just as delicious when thawed and consumed later. Try freezing fruit, leftovers, baked goods, and even herbs!
- Donate: Donate food you won’t use, but is still good enough to eat, to local food pantries.
Recycle
- Feed Livestock: Farm animals love overripe fruits, veggies and food scraps. Say hi to your local farmers and ask if they would like your scraps. This saves the farmers money on feed and takes food waste out of your trash bin.
- Compost: Whether you’re a gardener or have a lawn, you can make your own fertilizer! Make nutrient rich soil by composting. You can do this by buying a compost bin or making a pile. Learn how to compost by checking out our guide.
All it takes is one small decision to reduce waste each day to make a difference.
