Focus on Food Waste

Any food material, cooked or raw, which is intended or required to be discarded at a certain time is considered food waste. Food waste is the organic residue that results from the serving, cooking, preparation, sale, storage, and handling of food.

Why is it important to think about food waste and “scraps”?
  • Food waste and scraps account for eighteen percent of waste deposited at US landfills.
  • When food waste is deposited in a landfill, it will decompose and generate methane, which is a dangerous greenhouse gas.
  • Food waste can be a valuable resource with the potential to create both renewable energy and be an amendment to the soil.
  • Using food waste as as a resource extends it’s usefulness and helps to preserve the environment.

Anaerobic digestion occurs when microorganisms break down food scraps, manure, and other organic materials , without the presence of oxygen. The completion of anaerobic digestion results in two useful products: biogas and solid residual. Biogas, comprised of methane and carbon dioxide, can be used in a way similar to natural gas. The solid residual is ideal when used as a soil amendment. The benefits of using anaerobic digestion to extend the usefulness of food waste include generating renewable energy, reducing methane greenhouse gas, and diverting material for landfills.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Every living being needs to eat, so why not help to save the environment and possibly save some money by putting a plan in place to effectively reuse and recycle food scraps and waste?