Tips To Fight Food Waste!

Learn all about how food waste impacts the planet, why it's happening, and what YOU as an individual can do about it!

In America it is estimated that 30-40% of all food produced is wasted. In 2010, $161 BILLION dollars was dumped into landfills because of food waste. Many sources are this cause of this huge problem. The common misconception revolving around food waste is that your food will break down in landfill, and while that is necessarily true food needs the proper conditions to decompose quickly. Certain requirements of heat, air, and water are what breaks down the food like that of composting. Landfills most often don't meet those requirements.

When food enters our landfills they release a gas called methane. This gas traps 21x more heat than carbon dioxide being a huge contributor to climate change. It acts as a blanket wrapping around the earth without allowing the transfer of heat that is necessary to keep the planet's temperature regulated. What’s important to add is the impact doesn’t stop there. Food waste also contributes to an immense use of water and energy from producing, processing, preparing, transporting, and storing food. 

So why are we wasting so much of our food? 

1. Expiration dates -- these “sell by” dates confuse consumers and scare them into not “risking" eating it. A lot of the food we throw out is completely edible, but because of this throw away mentality a lot of us are conditioned to have we end up justbthrowing away the food without hesitation.

More than 80% of Americans waste perfectly good food! 

2. Impulse Purchases -- Let’s just say you're at the grocery store and down the snack aisle… it’s tempting! But buying so much extra produce and snacks is unrealistic and is a death sentence for food waste. I think we've all fallen down the rabbit hole of purchasing something with the intention of using it, but just forgetting about or having second thoughts about it after we purchase it.

3. Convenience -- Time IS a barrier. Not everyone has the time to make homemade meals, so planning accordingly is key! When you plan what you will make in an appropriate matter according to what your schedule looks like you are able to buy enough food to meet those needs. Over consumption is one of the major drivers of food waste and often likes to take the wheel.

After knowing all of this, what action can you take? Spread awareness through social media/word of mouth, do research on your “expired” pantry items, make a meal plan and pair it with a grocery list, learn how to store your food properly, use your scraps in a creative way, compost, use your freezer!

The actions don't stop there! Feel free to email me some of your favourite tips:

climatee.crisis@gmail.com (yes there is a double "e")