DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler says more than 70 billion pounds of food waste is sent to landfills every year, increasing methane emissions and wasting energy and resources across the food supply chain.
As the nation celebrates Thanksgiving, the EPA wants Americans to consider the environment when planning their dinners and be mindful about wasting food.
Here's a few food waste reduction tips to help:
- Create and stick to shopping lists, since this year a smaller number of people will likely share the meal.
- “Shop” the refrigerator and pantry first, so that food does not go to waste and shopping needs are reduced.
- Plan an "eat the leftovers" night as a great way to use Thanksgiving ingredients and leftovers.
- “Befriend” the freezer. Freeze extra food such as side dishes or meat.
- Consider safely sharing extra food with family or donating unopened, non-perishable food items to a local charity. (Always contact food rescue organizations in advance of a drop off.)
The EPA estimates that more food reaches landfills than any other material in everyday trash, making up 24% of municipal solid waste. Wasted food contributes to landfills being the third largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S.
The EPA says reducing food waste and redirecting excess food to people, animals or energy production provide immediate benefits to public health and the environment, including:
- Reducing methane emissions from landfills.
- Saving money through thoughtful planning, shopping and storage.
- Supporting your community by donating untouched food that would have otherwise gone to waste.
- Conserving energy and resources, preventing pollution involved in the growing, manufacturing, transporting and selling of food.