Eat Smart, Waste Less and Compost the Rest
According to the EPA, one-third of the food produced in the United States goes uneaten each year with an average household of four spending nearly $3,000 each year on food that goes uneaten. When food goes uneaten, the resources that went into growing, harvesting and transporting that food go to waste as well. Reducing the amount of food you waste at home not only can help reduce your environmental footprint, but it can also save you money!
- Smart Shopping Guidelines (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Fruit and Veggie Storage Guide (PDF, 1.42 MB)
- Tips for Meal Planning (PDF, 2.2 MB)
Composting at Home
There are a number of ways you can get involved in composting at home:
- Purchase compost from a compost facility or retail location
- Compost in your backyard
- Compost with worms (vermicomposting)
- Subscribe to a local food scraps collection service
- Participate in community composting initiatives and events (food scraps drop-off programs, pumpkin smash events and Christmas tree recycling)
Composting organic materials such as yard trimmings and food scraps reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or combustion facilities. Preventing organics from landfills reduces the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Adding compost to the soil:
- provides valuable nutrients;
- improves soil structure;
- adds beneficial soil micro-organisms;
- suppresses certain plant diseases
- reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides; and
- helps prevent soil erosion and nutrient run-off.
