US plans to reduce food waste by 50 per cent by 2030
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set its first ever national food waste reduction target, calling for a 50 per cent reduction by 2030.
Of the food produced in the US, roughly one third is wasted, according to USDA. This, the department states, equates to over 60 million tonnes of food waste each year, and it is the largest component of landfills, contributing significantly to methane emissions when decomposing.
In a statement announcing the target, the USDA estimated that by reducing food losses by just 15 per cent, enough food would be provided for 25 million Americans each year, substantially reducing national food poverty.
As part of the new proposal, the federal government will enter in to partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), charitable organisations, faith-based organisations, the private sector and local, state and tribal governments, encouraging them to adopt the voluntary waste reduction schemes.
A study by trade group Food Waste Reduction Alliance looked at the contribution of food manufacturers, retailers and restaurants to the nation’s food waste.
Restaurants, it found, throw away 84.3 per cent of their food waste, recycling less than 15 per cent and donating just over one per cent of their wasted food. In 2014, food manufacturers generated over 3.1 million tonnes of food waste, while grocery stores produced half a tonne for every $100,000 (£65,000) that consumers spent.
Although the USDA goal is currently voluntary, many food businesses have already started to work towards targets of their own. In July, the Consumer Goods Forum approved a new resolution to halve food waste within the operations of its 400 retailer and manufacturers members by 2025.
‘Promoting innovative approaches for reducing food loss’
Announcing the new national target, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said: “The United States enjoys the most productive and abundant food supply on earth, but too much of this food goes to waste. An average family of four leaves more than two million calories, worth nearly $1,500 (£1,000), uneaten each year.
“Our new reduction goal demonstrates America’s leadership on a global level in getting wholesome food to people who need it, protecting our natural resources, cutting environmental pollution and promoting innovative approaches for reducing food loss and waste.”
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy added: ”Today's announcement presents a major environmental, social and public health opportunity for the U.S., and we're proud to be part of a national effort to reduce the food that goes into landfills.
“Let’s feed people, not landfills. By reducing wasted food in landfills, we cut harmful methane emissions that fuel climate change, conserve our natural resources, and protect our planet for future generations.”
Target welcomed by US food industry
News of the nationwide target has been received well by much of the American food industry.
Pamela G Bailey, President and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which represents more than 300 food, beverage and consumer product manufacturers, said: “We applaud these new nationwide goals for reducing food waste in the US. Everyone has a role to play in reducing food waste, and the food industry has already stepped forward.
“Last year, GMA member companies recycled 93 per cent of the food waste generated from manufacturing and donated 106 million pounds [48,000 tonnes] of food to food banks. We look forward to continuing our work on this important issue through the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, which was formed in 2011 by GMA, retailers and restaurant and food service companies. This cross-industry alliance works to identify sources of food waste, increase the amount of food sent to food banks and decrease food sent to landfills.”
