The Problem
Have you ever wondered what happens to your food scraps when they are placed in the trash?
(2023, February 14). Food Loss and Waste. U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
Food waste is the largest component of solid waste in American landfills, representing 24%.
(2021, March 4). UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021. UN environment programme.
Wasted food represents roughly 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is a main driver of the loss of forests, grasslands, and other critical wildlife habitats—while also depleting our freshwater supply.
(2022, September 6). Basic Information About Landfill Gas. United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Food thrown into the trash ends up in the landfill where it produces methane gas that is 28x more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, making it one of the most potent greenhouse gasses and a huge contributor to global warming.
Landfills lack the oxygen that compostable items need to fully decompose.
Jan et al (2013). Food wastage footprint. Impacts on natural resources. Summary Report, page 17. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Of the food produced in the US, over ⅓ is never eaten, resulting in 30MM tons of food thrown away by Americans each year.
Jan et al (2013). Food wastage footprint. Impacts on natural resources. Summary Report, page 17. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
If food loss and waste were its own country, it would be the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gasses—surpassed only by China and the United States.
No corner of the globe is immune from the devastating consequences of climate change. Rising temperatures are fueling environmental degradation, natural disasters, weather extremes, food and water insecurity, economic disruption, conflict, and terrorism. Sea levels are rising, the Arctic is melting, coral reefs are dying, oceans are acidifying, and forests are burning.
“The climate emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race we can win”
— Secretary-General António Guterres, U.N. Secretary-General
As a result of global warming, California is in a climate crisis. Californians are experiencing more extreme weather, more frequent, destructive wildfires, warmer temperatures, and severe drought conditions. Communities are concerned with rising sea levels and hillside fires, all of which could threaten homes and communities.