The issue of food waste has received a lot of attention in recent years, and everyone, from food manufacturers to retailers to consumers, is guilty of contributing to the overall problem.
Statistics show that in the United States alone 66 million tons of food is wasted every year, with approximately 40 million tonnes of it ending up in municipal landfills. This represents 30 to 40 percent of the total food supply and is the largest component of landfills.
When food becomes waste, methane gas is released, accelerating climate change and increasing temperatures reducing the Earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
food waste facts
Although this figure is alarming and many of us can only control what happens at the domestic consumption stage, everyone can do their part to reduce food waste in their daily lives. That is important.
In addition to understanding the impact of food waste, you need to understand exactly when food should actually be thrown away. Learn best practices for disposing of expired food. Sell-by date settings encourage many products too earlys are steps that anyone can do at home. Currently, there are no regulations at the federal or state level regulating food safety. Baby food and infant formulathe U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends consuming by the expiry date.
Consumers will be more cautious and will not buy food that is close to its sell-by date. They interpret the sell-by date as the date on which the food should be consumed and no more should be purchased. Storage period – The last day the store will display products for sale. Without proper guidance, people may not know that food is safe to eat even days past its sell-by date if it is stored properly. These same consumers are also more likely to throw away food in their homes, well before the product spoils. According to Harvard Law School, Food Law and Policy Clinic90% of consumers throw away food most of the time or once it reaches its sell-by date.
label limbo
These practices can lead to large amounts of food waste in a very short period of time. If this behavior continues, the current situation will only get worse. To address this issue, California passes AB 660 The use of two types of labels introduces a long-needed standard in the food industry.
- The first label, “Best if used by,” is used to indicate when the quality of the product, rather than its safety, is at risk.
- The second label, “best before” date, is used on perishable foods to indicate the expiration date.
Improved food date labeling is now law in California and is expected to be adopted by other states to help clarify food labels to help reduce food waste.
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced efforts to achieve a 50% reduction. food waste The agency’s goals are twofold: It also plans to use the food saved from waste to strengthen food security. By partnering with charities and private companies, EPA envisions making food that would otherwise be sent to landfills more accessible to the hungry and needy. These organizations transport food to shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries, helping to reduce hunger for the 48 million Americans living in food-insecure households.
A smart person who doesn’t waste anything.
Do you want to break up? Here is a list of simple things you can do in your daily life to minimize food waste and meet EPA goals. It will be kind to the environment and your wallet.
- stock: Take inventory of what you already have in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Then, before you head out on your weekly shopping spree, make a list of what you really need.
- Food menu: Create a menu for all your meals for the week, taking into account planned lunches and dinners.
- Avoid specials: When shopping, don’t be fooled by bargain sales. If you can’t consume one container of yogurt in a week, why would you think you’ll eat three this week?
- Please stick to the list: Don’t deviate from the list. It’s easy to get distracted at the supermarket. Store layouts are designed to encourage impulse purchases.
- Please note the large quantities: Avoid purchasing large quantities of perishable foods such as produce, meat, and dairy products. Be especially careful if you live in a one- or two-person household.
- Do you buy in bulk? If you buy in bulk, please divide it into smaller portions immediately after opening. Then, store your food in a way that will make it last longer.
- rotate food: When restocking your refrigerator, freezer, or pantry with newly purchased items, move older items to the front so you can use them first.
- keep food separate: Store bananas, apples, and tomatoes alone, and fruits and vegetables in separate boxes. Many fruits release natural gas as they ripen, causing other produce nearby to rot quickly.
- Wash only before eating: Do not wash fruits and vegetables until you are ready to use them. This will help prevent mold from forming.
- Mid-week check-in: Mid-week, check your fridge to make sure leftovers and produce are fresh. Review your menu plans, rotate meals, and use up ingredients you won’t have until the weekend.
- If it freezes frequently: Freeze items that are still safe to eat if you don’t have time to consume them within the next few days.
- Prepare mature food for cooking. Fruits and vegetables that are past their apparent prime are still edible and can be used in recipes. Use it to make soups, stir-fries, casseroles, baked goods, and more.
- Recycle your containers. If you can’t salvage something, be sure to remove the rotten food from its container and recycle it before throwing it away or composting it.
- compost: Compost food that is out of season and no longer usable. Before putting it in your compost bin, make sure it doesn’t contain meat, oil, or other ingredients that can’t be broken down.
- Are you eating out? When eating out, choose a restaurant that serves small plates. It gives you the opportunity to share a variety of dishes with your dining companions and prevents you from ordering too much. Are you still hungry? This type of restaurant allows you to keep your menu, so you can order more as you like during your meal.
By buying less and utilizing proper preservation techniques, you can keep food fresher longer, save money, and reduce food waste. You will benefit yourself, your community, and your planet.
Editor’s note: This article was first published on April 26, 2016 and updated in October 2024. Feature image credit: Rob Marmion / Shutterstock
