Food waste is the #1 item found in Landfills and goes through the incinerators. Food eventually breaks down into Methane Gas which is a Greenhouse gas. In America, $65 Billion Dollars of food is thrown away each year. An average of $2,200.00 per household of food is thrown away each year.
The more disposable income a country has, the more its citizens overspend and waste food. In the United States an average American will throw away 200-250 pounds of food per year, in contrast to parts of Africa and Asia where an individual only throws away 13-24 pounds of food per year.
Learn about the steps we can do prevent food waste by clicking on this website – https://blueknightsoftheearth.com/
Everyday Steps to Reduce Food Waste and Greenhouse Gases
- When you go the Grocery Store, don’t go their Hungry. If you are hungry you will be encouraged to buy more food, which could lead to expiring items and food waste.
- When you bring your Groceries home make sure you FIFO (First In First Out) them. This is rotating your items in the refrigerator and pantry, so that you will eat your food that is nearing the expiration date first.
- If you accidentally buy too much food, donate some to your local food bank, church, or shelter.
- When you go to a restaurant, order what you can eat. If you can’t eat everything on your plate, take the leftovers home with you for a future meal. Restaurants are now starting to provide take home containers that are recyclable. Also, you can bring your own glass container for left over food.
- Compost Scraps of Food that you are not eating. Compost is organic matter that has been recycled into natural fertilizer. A much better end result of your food, then it ending up in a landfill.
- Join or organize your own Food Drive for the Food Banks. The BSA Scouts have a Scouting Drive every November. The Scouts collect Canned foods and unopened boxes that households just do not want. The Scouts donate this food to the local Food Bank. This is a great way to participate, or start your own Food Drive.