Food Waste Basics

Additional Information for...

Image of food scraps: Information for Consumers

33 million tons of food waste reach landfills each year in the United States. This food could be prevented, used to feed people, or composted to create a valuable soil amendment.

How Can I Divert Food From Landfills?

Source Reduction/Prevention
Preventing food waste before it is created
Feeding People
Donating fresh, wholesome food to those in need
Feeding Animals
Feeding safe, fresh food scraps to animals like pig farms
Industrial Uses
Rendering fats, oils, and grease and turning it into products or biofuel
Composting
Turning food waste into a valuable soil amendment
Anaerobic Digestion
Turning food waste into renewable energy and a valuable soil amendment

Why Divert Food Waste From Landfills?

Reducing the amount of food wasted has significant economic, social & environmental benefits:

Environmental Benefits

Reduce Methane From Landfills - When food is disposed in a landfill it rots and becomes a significant source of methane - a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Landfills are a major source of human-related methane in the United States, accounting for more than 20 percent of all methane emissions.
Reduce Resource Use Associated with Food Production - There are many resources needed to grow food, including water, fertilizers, pesticides, and energy. By wasting food, you are also wasting the resources that when into growing it. Additionally, 14 percent of greenhouse gases in the United States are associated with growing, manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of food. By reducing the amount of food wasted, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Create A Valuable Soil Amendment - Recycling food waste and turning it into compost has many environmental benefits such as improving soil health and structure; increasing drought resistance; and reducing the need for supplemental water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Food waste can also be turned into renewable energy and a soil amendment through anaerobic digestion.
Improve Sanitation, Public Safety, and Health at Your Facility - Food waste dumped in standard trash cans and dumpsters in the back alley of a home, store or restaurant can generate bad odors and attract rodents or insects. Placing food scraps in a closed, leak-proof, durable, and reusable container, and having it frequently emptied for donation or composting can significantly reduce, and even eliminate these problems.

Economic Benefits

Lower Disposal Costs - By decreasing the amount of food wasted, businesses pay less to dispose of their trash. Some haulers charge less if the food waste is separated from the trash and sent for composting rather than landfilling.
Reduce Over-Purchasing and Labor Costs - By making strides to prevent food waste, businesses can reduce costs by purchasing only the food that will be used, or decreasing improperly prepared foods. Additionally, reducing food waste can increase staff efficiency and reduce energy and labor associated with disposing of food.
Receive Tax Benefits by Donating Food - By donating wholesome and edible food to food banks or food rescue organizations, businesses can claim tax benefits as well as feed those in need.

Social Benefits

Feed People, Not Landfills - An estimated 50 million Americans do not have access to enough food. Organizations can donate safe and healthy food to a food bank or food rescue organization and both reduce food sent to landfills and feed those in need.