Food Waste In The U.S. Is Real

Be The Rescue.

FOOD WASTE IN THE UNITED STATES

More than 40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted

The EPA estimated food waste at

218.9 pounds

of food waste per person sent for disposal.

And that estimate was made 10 years ago.

Here are some things to know about food waste in the U.S.

Millions of pounds of excess food ends up in landfills

The USDA’s Economic Research Service estimated that approximately 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food was wasted in 2010.
Instead of feeding people, the disposal of wasted food leads to more waste such as the unnecessary use of water, labor and energy to produce, process, transport, prepare, store, and dispose of discarded food.
In 2010, the EPA estimated food waste at 218.9 pounds of food waste per person sent for disposal.

Food in landfills contributes to climate change

Currently, food waste is contributing 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

This is largely because food that ends up in landfills and decomposes releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), a greenhouse gas that is at least 28 times more potent than CO2.

Americans generate more food waste than any other country, and nearly 40% of food waste is healthy fresh fruits and vegetables.

UNUSED FOOD, OVERFLOWING LANDFILLS, AND HUNGER ARE

INEXCUSABLE

AND UNNECESSARY HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHES.