Tag: Food Waste

EPA Recognizes Outstanding Food Recovery Challenge and WasteWise Program Participants

Posted: January 28, 2015

Food Recovery Challenge Participants Alone Diverted 370,000 Tons of Wasted Food from Landfills

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes the accomplishments of organizations and businesses participating in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge and WasteWise program for reducing their climate footprint, improving efficiency, helping communities and achieving cost savings through waste reduction. These programs save money, protect the environment and feed the hungry.

“In 2013, EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge participants diverted more than 370,000 tons of wasted food from entering landfills or incinerators. Of this total, more than 36,000 tons of food was donated to feed people in need, which equates to nearly 56 million meals,” said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “I commend the efforts of our award winners and encourage others to follow their lead by joining the Food Recovery Challenge. These leaders demonstrate that protecting the environment, saving money and feeding the hungry can go hand in hand.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that wasted food costs America more than $165 billion annually and that the average family of four throws away $1,600 of food each year. The Food Recovery Challenge participants and endorsers, through innovation and hard work, have greatly reduced wasted food. Food pantries, food rescue programs, local food banks, soup kitchens and shelters are benefiting from donations of wholesome and nutritious food — helping feed people, not landfills.

EPA presented 23 awards to Food Recovery Challenge participants and endorsers in two categories: data-driven and narrative. The data-driven award recipients achieved the highest percentage of wasted food diversion and prevention. The narrative award winners excelled in areas of source reduction, leadership, innovation, education and outreach, and endorsement. Continue reading EPA Recognizes Outstanding Food Recovery Challenge and WasteWise Program Participants

Energy and Water Efficiency for Restaurants

Posted: October 30, 2014
Source: Energy Manager Today By Mark Masterson

Americans, unfortunately, are a wasteful culture. According to the USDA, food waste from stores, restaurants, and homes topped an estimated 133 billion pounds of food, about 30-40% of the entire food supply. That’s not just an environmental problem, it’s a social problem. For restaurateurs, it’s also an economic one.

That’s why some restaurants are turning to efficiency experts to streamline their businesses, reducing waste and improving the bottom line. Taking a cue from manufacturing, restaurants are taking great steps to stop losing money. Some recommendations to reduce food waste include::

  • Adjusting or eliminating expensive ingredients from recipes.
  • Ditching multiple cup sizes for drinks.
  • Only offering condiments when asked.
  • Adjust proportions on menu items to accurately reflect costs. Expert recommend that the cost to make each item should be 22-30% of the price.

These tips are relatively easy to implement, though some restaurants balk at the idea of changing their recipes. These changes also put restaurants at the risk of angering customers who are used to a certain level of service and food. For restaurants who don’t want to tinker with their food, there is another way to cut costs. Continue reading Energy and Water Efficiency for Restaurants

One-Third of Food Produced Is Wasted, Study Says

Posted: July 17, 2014
Source: Environmental Leader.com

More than one-third of all food produced in the US is wasted, according to a survey of consumers’ attitudes conducted by Sealed Air.

The company whose product lines include Bubble Wrap, Cryovac and Diversey commissioned the report to evaluate Americans’ food habits, sustainability practices, and overall awareness of food waste issues.

The study’s key findings show that while there is growing concern and awareness of how much food is wasted in the US, most American consumers still don’t consider their own households to be wasteful or a part of the problem: 67 percent say food waste is a concern; yet only 33 percent say food waste in their home is a concern.
Continue reading One-Third of Food Produced Is Wasted, Study Says