Considering Waste Reduction

Food waste is perhaps one of the easiest and most important areas of waste reduction that we can focus on in our daily lives. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), "up to 40 percent of the food in the United States in never eaten." We must consider the significance of this statement both through the lens of current food insecurity statistics, and through the ecological damage producing this excess waste creates when the food goes to the landfill and produces a damaging greenhouse gas called methane (NRDC). According to Yale Climate Connections, "As much as 11 percent of greenhouse gas emissions could be eliminated if food waste were brought to zero" (Spiegel). Clearly, food waste has a dramatic impact on climate change and the condition of our earth. On a smaller level, another consideration is that by minimizing food waste in your own home you have the opportunity to dramatically lower your grocery bill. 

From a broad view, one of the most important changes we can make as a country is to focus on "implementing strategies that prevent surpluses of food from occurring in the first place" (Spiegel). One of these primary sources of detrimental emissions is from animals raised for food. KCB isn't suggesting that you adhere to a vegan lifestyle unless that is something which you feel is right for you, however, considering incorporating "Meatless Monday" (or Thursday, lol) into your weekly diet could lower the demand placed upon the meat industry and subsequently help to lower the demand for animal products. 

While some level of responsibility falls upon the consumer to implement personal strategies to make sure that they aren't creating food waste, we can also consider the impact of the seller and how they package the meat and other animal products which are on the market. Incorporating simple additions, such as highly legible dating on product packaging, makes a difference. Sellers also need to be held accountable for over-production of food products. Participating in programs which send excess food to low-income families is one way that companies can work to avoid detrimental food waste.

But how can we as individuals reduce the amount of food waste we produce? 

• First, check out our video on conducting a food waste audit. This certainly offered me personal insight into how I could improve my imprint on the earth by reducing the level of food waste I produce in my own home. Taking stock of your waste increases your mindfulness and allows your to set small, achievable goals.
• Meal planning allows for food to be consumed with waste reduction in mind. When selecting and planning meals for the week, the consumer can base their choices on what items they have in the home and refrigerator that are soonest to expire. You can also design your weekly meals based upon your lifestyle. If you're cooking for one, an efficient meal plan will look different from that for a family of six.
• Freezing leftovers, soon-to-expire fruits, veggies, and meat items allows you to extend the life and use of foods you might not otherwise be able to consume prior to expiration. If you have the luxury of a deep freeze, this is even more useful for food preservation.
• Clean out your refrigerator frequently. The more easily you can see what you have, the more likely you will be to recognize that it needs to be used up. Creating an organizational design for how you store food in your fridge will help as well. You might even consider taking a "shelfie" or picture of your fridge and cupboard to help you keep in mind what is available. Reducing personal food waste really begins in this step, as being aware of what you have allows you to make better choice when you're at the grocery store. 
• Label your leftovers clearly. When did you make that delicious sweet potato and corn chowder? If you don't know, then you're far more likely to throw away something that's still edible out of excess caution... or to allow it to go bad because the date you made it slipped your mind.

The process of reducing food waste in the home is one that comes down to mindfulness. Be aware. Invest your time and care into how you structure the way purchase, store, prepare, and consume your food items. Each small change has the potential to create positive change for the better.


Resources:

FDA. Tips to Reduce Food Waste. https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/tips-reduce-food-waste
NRDC. Food Waste, What's at Stake. https://www.nrdc.org/food-waste
Spiegel, Jan Ellen. (2019). Food Waste Starts Long Before Food Gets To Your Plate. Yale Climate Connections.https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2019/05/food-waste-has-crucial-climate-impacts/?gcli