by Shane Henson — November 21, 2012—In conjunction with the 15th annual America Recycles Day that was observed on November 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewed its commitment to helping Americans reduce wasted food by working with grocers, universities, stadiums and other venues through its Sustainable Materials Management Food Recovery Challenge.
According to EPA estimates, food is now the single largest type of waste going to the United States’ municipal landfills and incinerators—more than 33 million tons of food ends up in landfills or is combusted each year. When food is discarded in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Americans throw away up to 40 percent of their food, an average of 20 pounds per person a month. Much of this wasted food is actually surplus, wholesome and edible food that could have helped those in need. Just as important, excess food, leftovers and scraps that are not fit for consumption or donation can be recycled into a nutrient-rich soil amendment, says the EPA.
The Sustainable Materials Management Food Recovery Challenge seeks to help reduce the environmental impacts of how materials are extracted, manufactured, distributed, used, reused, recycled, and disposed. Through better purchasing decisions and finding better uses for surplus food, participants in the challenge are supporting communities by feeding people, not landfills. Challenge participants are also finding that they are saving money through reduced purchasing and waste disposal fees, says the EPA. Facilities managers wanting to help their school or organization reduce food waste should consider having their respective entities join the more than 130 organizations already taking part in the challenge.
