Online Food Waste Reduction

Food is a valuable resource. Using water, energy, land and much, much more. In the U.S., agriculture alone, uses 80% of all water consumed. A single pound of beef takes, on average, 1,800 gallons of water as well as over 30 kilowatt hours! In 2007, 16% of the nation's total energy bill was used for the food industry. What’s crazy is, more than 30% of food in the U.S. isn’t eaten, throwing $162 billion down the drain every year. At the same time, 1 in 6 people are food insecure. Much of this “waste” is ending up in landfills, making up 14% of landfills. 17% of methane produced, is from landfills. Why is this happening and how can people like you and I change these huge numbers?

There are many contributions that add to food waste. From production and processing, to retail and consumption, everything increases the amount of food waste. During production, on the farm, crops are wasted all the time because of pest infestations and severe weather. In the processing stage, many crops are thrown away and lost due to undesired shape, size, color, and other unwanted physical deformations. While in retail, food can be thrown away if damaged during transportation. A large amount is also wasted if food has reached their expiration dates, or is bruised or misshapened. When food is being consumed, a large amount it is wasted, as well. This is because of people buying more than they can each, over-preparation, such as burning food, and not consuming leftovers.

One fast, easy, free, way you can reduce your personal food waste is by using this app; Online Food Waste Reduction.