The U.S. is falling short on food waste reduction goals

The U.S. generates as much food waste per person as it did in 2016, leaving the country far from its 2030 target to halve food waste, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis.

Frida Garza reports for Grist.

In short:

Americans waste an estimated 328 pounds of food per person annually, unchanged since the 2016 launch of a federal reduction initiative.
Federal inaction leaves states unable to meet food waste goals despite composting and other strategies, researchers say.
Experts emphasize preventing waste at its source, such as improving food labeling and reducing overproduction, over relying on composting alone.

Key quote:

“It’s really thinking about the best use of food, which is to eat it.”

— Sarah Kakadellis, lead author of the study

Why this matters:

Food waste in landfills contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. Preventing waste at the source can conserve resources, reduce emissions and improve food security. Without stronger federal leadership, current efforts may fall short.

Related EHN coverage:

grist.org

The U.S. is falling short on food waste reduction goals

Inside the campaign to discredit a key climate science report

Mark Carney adviser says AI data centres ‘provide markets’ for gas

The winter’s snow drought is now a full-blown water crisis

‘Every day it’s more barriers’: how the US is shutting out climate refugees

Scientists have made jet fuel from plastic waste

Mangroves comeback is a rare climate success story

COP31 leaders unveil global targets, with spotlight on electrification

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.