Food waste in the United States
Food waste in the United States is a big problem. Did you know that more than 80 million tons of food are thrown away every year? That's a lot of wasted food! Most of this waste comes from households like ours, making up over half of the total amount. Farms and restaurants also contribute a significant amount of food waste.
So, where does all this wasted food end up? Well, most of it goes to landfills. Some is composted, and some is left unharvested on farms because it doesn't meet certain standards or there aren't enough workers to gather it.
But why does food waste matter? It's not just about the food we throw away—it's also about the resources wasted in producing that food. Think about all the water, energy, and labor that go into growing and transporting food, only for it to end up in the trash. And it's not just a local issue—it affects global hunger and food security too.
Every one knows very well that the role of food waste to climate change. When food breaks down in landfills, it releases greenhouse gases like methane, which heat up the planet. In fact, food waste generates as much greenhouse gas emissions as 42 coal power plants every year!
So, what can we do about it? We need to reduce food waste at every step of the supply chain. That means being more mindful of how much food we buy and use, supporting efforts to rescue surplus food and distribute it to those in need, and finding ways to compost food scraps instead of sending them to the landfill.
But it's not just about individual actions—we also need systemic change. That means holding food producers, distributors, and retailers accountable for their waste and investing in infrastructure to better manage food surplus and loss. It means supporting policies that promote food donation, incentivize composting, and discourage wasteful practices.
By working together to tackle food waste, we can make a big difference for the environment and our communities. And in doing so, we can create a more sustainable and equitable food system for everyone.