By Alexandra Isham, Alliance Intern from Ohio State University ‘25
Do you find yourself at the end of the week tossing out half-full fruit bowls, stale bread and leftover dinners that never got eaten? This is a typical experience for most households, but this redundant habit is part of a much larger problem. According to scientific research, approximately one-third of the food produced in the US is never eaten. The EPA states that when food is produced but unnecessarily wasted, all the resources used to grow the food – water, pesticides and fertilizers – plus the energy used to transport it from farms to our tables, are wasted as well.
According to the David Suzuki Foundation, food waste in landfills is a significant source of greenhouse gases and a waste of valuable resources such as water, energy, and labor used in food production. Food loss exacerbates climate change by releasing a large volume of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, as indicated by the USDA. According to WWF, the greenhouse gas emissions from wasted food in the US are equivalent to those produced by 37 million cars — yikes!
Economic Impact of Food Waste
How much food do Americans waste? RTS reports while global food waste amounts to around 2.5 billion tons each year, the US stands out for discarding more food than any other country, totaling nearly 60 million tons annually — or 120 billion pounds. Incredibly, that’s 348 pounds per American, or nearly one pound per day of wasted food. Can you believe this?
According to RTS, the total value of food wasted in America is roughly $218 billion, which equals about 130 billion meals. This staggering figure is more than just a number — it’s a wake-up call.
Imagine the difference we could make if we could channel even a small portion of this waste towards helping those in need or improving food management practices. The potential benefits for food security, economic efficiency, and environmental conservation are enormous. It’s clear that tackling this issue could make a significant difference in our communities and beyond.
As stated by the nonprofit Feeding America, Americans waste over $408 billion annually on food, with dairy products leading as the most frequently discarded item. RTS concludes that the average American family of four wastes about $1,600 each year on produce. This statistic astonished me. Through my experiences as a nanny, I have personally observed substantial food wastage. I have witnessed larger families purchasing excessive amounts of food, leading to the disposal of a significant portion of their food budget.
Environmental Impact of Food Waste
RTS highlights that discarded food has serious lasting environmental impacts. It wastes the water and energy used in its production and releases greenhouse gases — making 11% of global emissions — such as methane, carbon dioxide, and chlorofluorocarbons, all of which contribute to global warming. RTS revealed that decomposing food in landfills creates nitrogen pollution, which leads to algae blooms and dead zones.
Americans need to change their food waste habits, or the environmental impact will be catastrophic. Continuing on this path could intensify pollution, accelerate climate change and strain essential resources, leading to severe and potentially irreversible damage to our planet. Urgent action is needed to adopt better food management practices to protect the environment and future generations.
What You Can Do to End Food Waste: Meal Planning, Recipe Websites and Freezing
The David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) recommends meal planning as vital for reducing food waste. Start by deciding on a week’s worth of dinners using ingredients you already have, and base your grocery list on this plan.
Utilize recipe websites like Supercook and Epicurious to make the most of your pantry. My favorite DSF recommendation is turning aging veggies into soups or stews, and turning overripe fruit into smoothies. Freeze excess food to extend its shelf life, such as overripe bananas that can be used for making banana bread or smoothies. Try hosting a dinner party utilizing ingredients from your fridge to share with family and friends!
Seven More Strategies for Reducing Your Food Waste
DSF shares simple strategies that can dramatically reduce food waste and contribute to a more sustainable food system:
- Choose items from the front: Ensure freshness by selecting products from the front of the shelves, as best-before dates reflect quality, not safety.
- Pick the last remaining produce: Opt for the last tomato or head of lettuce if it’s still good to avoid waste.
- Don’t discard imperfect produce: Flawed produce deserves a chance – it should be tasted, not wasted.
- Consider overripe produce: Snag that very ripe pineapple if you’re planning to use it soon — it’s perfect for an immediate fruit fix!
- Go for only as many bananas as you need rather than a bunch: Pick single bananas instead of a bunch to ensure you buy only what you can eat and avoid overbuying.
- Stick to your list: Make a shopping list and only buy what you need to prevent over-purchasing.
- Create an “Eat-Me-First” bin for items nearing their best-before dates: As someone with ADHD, I find this strategy particularly useful for managing food waste and organizing what I already have.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to go all out at once — taking small steps can make a big difference. By implementing these small adjustments, you can reduce waste and use up ingredients before they spoil.
Final Thoughts
RTS unveiled that several countries are ahead in food waste management compared to the US. France requires restaurants to donate surplus food that is still safe to eat but approaching its expiration date. In Sweden, cities transform food waste into fuel for public buses. Additionally, Denmark offers an app that helps users find nearby restaurants and bakeries selling their unsold food at discounted prices just before closing time.
It’s inspiring to see these innovative approaches. It makes me wonder what could be achieved if we embraced similar practices in the US. The potential benefits for our environment and society are immense, and it’s clear that adopting such strategies would address climate change, preserve resources, save money and help assure food security for all.