How much of the US food supply ends up as waste?

In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply. This estimate, based on estimates from USDA’s Economic Research Service of 31 percent food loss at the retail and consumer levels, corresponded to approximately 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food in 2010.

What percent of food waste in the US comes from consumers?

In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30–40 percent of the food supply. This figure, based on estimates from USDA’s Economic Research Service of 31 percent food loss at the retail and consumer levels, corresponded to approximately 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food in 2010.

What is the US government doing about food waste?

U.S. 2030 Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal The goal seeks to cut food loss and waste in half by the year 2030. By acting on this goal, the U.S. can reduce climate and environmental impacts associated with food loss and waste while improving food security and saving money for families and businesses.

How much food does the United States waste?

How much food waste is there in the United States? Each year, 108 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States. That equates to more than $161 billion worth of food thrown away each year. Shockingly, nearly 40\% of all food in America is wasted.

How does the US get rid of waste?

Currently, though, the majority (65.4 percent) of materials discarded by homes and businesses in the U.S. are ultimately dumped into landfills or burned in incinerators. The U.S. only composts and recycles about half that much material at 34.6 percent.

How much waste does the US produce in 2020?

That is based on an estimated 80 million tons of solid waste generated in 2020.

How much waste does the average American produce?

The average American produces 1,704 pounds of garbage per year, roughly three times the global average, according to a new report by the research firm Verisk Maplecroft.

What are two steps the US government is taking to help reduce food waste?

Clarify and Communicate Information on Food Safety, Food Date Labels, and Food Donations. Collaborate with Private Industry to Reduce Food Loss and Waste Across the Supply Chain. Encourage Food Waste Reduction by Federal Agencies in their Respective Facilities.

What percent of the world’s waste does the US produce?

According to a new report from Verisk Maplecroft, a global risk-assessment and consulting firm, the United States accounts for only about 4 percent of the world’s population yet generates 12 percent of the planet’s municipal solid waste (MSW), better known as garbage.

How can the US reduce food waste?

20 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Food Waste

1. Food waste is a bigger problem than many people realize.
2. Shop Smart.
3. Store Food Correctly.
4. Learn to Preserve.
5. Don’t Be a Perfectionist.
6. Keep Your Fridge Clutter-Free.
7. Save Leftovers.
8. Eat the Skin.

How much waste is produced in the US?

The total generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018 was 292.4 million tons (U.S. short tons, unless specified) or 4.9 pounds per person per day. Of the MSW generated, approximately 69 million tons were recycled and 25 million tons were composted.

What percentage of food waste goes to landfills?

In 2017 alone, almost 41 million tons of food waste were generated, with only 6.3 percent diverted for composting from landfills and combustion for energy recovery. EPA estimates that more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material in our everyday trash, constituting 22 percent of municipal solid waste.

How much food is wasted in the US every year?

In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30–40 percent of the food supply. This figure, based on estimates from USDA’s Economic Research Service of 31 percent food loss at the retail and consumer levels, corresponded to approximately 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food in 2010.

How much food is thrown away in grocery stores each year?

About 30 percent of food in American grocery stores is thrown away. 23 US retail stores generate about 16 billion pounds of food waste every year. 24 Wasted food from the retail sector is valued at about twice the amount of profit from food sales. 25 What is the Food Waste Recovery Hierarchy?

How can commercial businesses reduce food waste?

Transforming food that would otherwise be wasted into an upcycled product is just one way in which commercial businesses can reduce food waste. Companies can also work with their hauler partner to set up programs to make sure their organics are composted rather than sent to landfill.