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America’s Food Waste Reduction Goals Remain Unmet

The United States is significantly lagging in its aim to reduce food waste by 50% by the year 2030, as highlighted by a recent study from the University of California, Davis.

This ambitious target was set in September 2015 to tackle the issue of food that is discarded, much of which ends up in landfills and contributes to harmful greenhouse gas emissions as it decomposes. These emissions are a substantial contributor to climate change.

In their analysis, the researchers from UC Davis examined state policies and estimated potential reductions in food waste across various states for the year 2022. Alarmingly, they concluded that without increased federal initiatives and support, no state is positioned to meet the national food waste reduction goal.

The estimates indicate that each American produces approximately 328 pounds of food waste annually, a figure that has not changed since the goal was initially announced in 2016 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Sarah Kakadellis, the primary author of the study published in Nature, noted that current measures are inadequate to achieve the set targets.

The team utilized publicly available data from ReFED, a nonprofit focused on tracking food waste in the U.S., and insights derived from the existing policy framework to assess the country’s performance related to food waste reduction.

Lori Leonard, a professor at Cornell University and chair of the Department of Global Development, commented that the findings were, unfortunately, predictable given the lack of comprehensive federal regulations addressing food waste. She stressed the importance of national leadership alongside ongoing efforts at state and local levels.

Kakadellis pointed out that changing consumer perceptions regarding food waste management strategies, particularly composting, is essential for future progress.

The Role of Composting in Food Waste Management

Composting transforms organic waste, such as food scraps, into a nutrient-rich substance that can benefit soil health. Despite its environmental advantages, composting, which produces an output that cannot be consumed, should also be recognized as a form of food waste. This highlights a need for consumers to recalibrate their understanding of waste management hierarchies.

“The ultimate goal should be to maximize food use by consuming it,” Kakadellis advised.

Composting is often seen as a favorable option compared to simply discarding spoiled food. However, both the United Nations and the European Union classify composting as a type of food waste. In its 2021 revisions, the EPA expanded its definition of food waste to encompass processes like composting and anaerobic digestion, which convert uneaten food into fertilizer or biogas.

The agency has also introduced a food waste hierarchy, stating that the top priority for waste management should be prevention. Strategies include implementing clear date labeling on food products to reduce consumer confusion and encouraging alternative uses for surplus food, such as donations to food banks or repurposing for animal feed.

While composting remains a pivotal method for diverting food waste from landfills, particularly since it can include food that is inedible by humans, Kakadellis cautioned against over-reliance on it. “We too often bypass other essential waste reduction steps and head straight to recycling,” she warned.

Leonard echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the vast resources invested in food production—from farming to transportation—and advocating for a shift towards prevention. Ensuring that food production aligns more closely with actual demand could mitigate the depletion of soils that often requires remediation through practices like composting.

Looking Ahead: Comprehensive Solutions are Essential

Both researchers highlighted the necessity of employing a multifaceted approach to combating food waste, where no single method should be disregarded. Leonard, who has studied waste management initiatives in other states, noted that many areas still lack a holistic strategy that promotes the higher tiers of the EPA food waste hierarchy.

“The objective shouldn’t just be getting people to do anything regarding the hierarchy, but actually encouraging them to seek out better practices,” she insisted.

Until enhanced options are available for managing food waste, composting may remain the most practical solution for many households. “It’s a straightforward and safe choice, particularly in the absence of robust protocols,” Leonard concluded.

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