Tackling Food Waste
Every day, the average American produces 4.9 pounds of trash (Source: Boyer Sudduth Environmental Consultants)
Every day, the average American produces 4.9 pounds of trash — a staggering amount that contributes to overflowing landfills and environmental harm (EPA, 2022). A significant portion of this waste comes from food. In fact, 30-40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted, the equivalent of bringing home three grocery bags and tossing one straight into the trash (USDA, 2021).
When food waste ends up in landfills, the bacteria decomposing the biomass under anaerobic conditions produces methane — a greenhouse gas that is over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere (EPA, 2023). Food waste is responsible for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a major driver of climate change (United Nations, 2021).
How To Cut Down
There are simple steps you can take to reduce food waste and live more sustainably:
Plan Your Meals & Shop Smart – Make a grocery list based on what you actually need and stick to it. Buying in bulk can be great, but only if you use what you purchase.
Store Food Properly – Many fruits and vegetables last longer when stored correctly. For example, bananas, avocados and tomatoes should be kept at room temperature, while leafy greens last longer in a crisper drawer (Gunders, 2017).
Embrace "Ugly" Produce – Misshapen or slightly bruised fruits and vegetables are often perfectly good to eat but frequently get discarded by grocery stores and shoppers. Organizations like Misfits Market and Hungry Harvest rescue this produce and deliver it at a discount.
Compost Your Scraps – Even with the best intentions, some food waste is inevitable. Composting keeps organic matter out of landfills, reducing methane emissions and creating nutrient-rich soil.
A backyard composting setup featuring a tumbler bin and a wooden transfer structure. Fallen leaves are mixed in to balance “greens” and “browns” for a healthy compost pile. (Source - Boyer Sudduth Environmental Consultants)
Philadelphia Resources
Where to donate surplus food:
Share Food Program – Distributes food to those in need across the region.
Philabundance – Accepts food donations and fights food insecurity.
Sunday Love Project – Provides meals for Philadelphia residents experiencing homelessness.
South Philly Community Fridge – Stocks locations with produce, pantry staples and prepared meals that would otherwise be wasted.
Where to compost:
Bennett Compost’s curbside compost bin (Source: Bennett Compost)
Bennett Compost – A curbside composting service for Philadelphia residents.
Philly Compost Co-op – A community-based composting initiative.
Compost NOW at Weavers Way – Drop-off composting available at their Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy locations.
Back to Earth Compost – Offers residential curbside and commercial compost pickup in suburban Philadelphia.
Take Action
Want to see how much you can cut down on waste? Try this challenge: track your food waste for one week and make small adjustments. Share your progress and tips with friends or on social media to inspire others.
By making small changes, we can reduce waste, save money and help protect the planet. Let's make every day Earth Day, starting with what's on our plates.
Article by Sam Dickman, Sustainability Intern for Boyer Sudduth Environmental Consultants
