Food waste is a huge problem in the United States. According to Feeding America, up to 40 percent of food thats harvested and prepared for consumption goes to waste. This is a problem not only because of the enormous amount of resources required to produce the food in the first place, but also because of what happens to it next.
Though natural food is biodegradable, throwing it in the landfill still has consequences. Feeding America reports that food in landfills breaks down to release methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that, when released, contributes to global warming. In fact, it has 21 times the global warming potential of carbon.
Look, were only humansometimes we buy things that dont get cooked. We prepare more food than we need. We end up going out to eat with friends instead of cooking. Even the most eco-conscious of us sometimes have to dispose of some food. When this happens, we try to do it in the most eco-friendly way possible. Here are some ideas.
Freeze it for Seasonal Broth
Freeze leftover veggies (even stems and leaves), compiling all your leftovers until youre ready to make a seasonal vegetable broth. This works especially well if you tend to buy locally and seasonally. After a few weeks, youll likely have a multitude of vegetables, leaves, cores and end pieces that can be used to make a delicious seasonal broth. If you keep up this practice for a while, you may observe that the flavors of your broth start to change with the seasons. Cool, huh?
Compost It
Composting is a great way to turn leftover food into nutrients for your garden. Its not as hard as you might think to get started: All youll need is some organic matter, some oxygen, warmth and a little moisture. You dont need a gigantic compost barrel, eithera small garbage can is plenty of space to create a small compost pile.
If you dont want to create your own composting system at home, check to see if your town or one nearby offers composting services. This will vary greatly by region, but if you have the resources available to you, you may simply be able to drop off your leftovers at a composting site.
Create a Food-Sharing Group
If you have a circle of friends that tends to be eco-conscious, why not start a conversation about food waste? If youre not going to use that bread baguette you bought, chances are your neighbor might be able to find a use for it. Create a Facebook or Meetup group (or just an old-fashioned network of people you can call) who are interested in exchanging leftovers on a regular basis.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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