Earth Week 2020: 10 Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Today’s theme is FOOD. If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China and the U.S. In a study by Project Drawdown, reducing food waste ranks as the third most critical area where action can positively impact the environment. We included a couple of items about plastic including saying no to plastic grocery bags. One study found that replacing bottled water with a reusable water bottle could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually – per person. The power of an individual to to mitigate climate change is unmistakable.

Here are 10 tips and things you can do to get involved:

1. Eat local and seasonal. Check for local dairies, butchers or even coffee roasters in your area!
2. Purchase reusable produce bags.
3. Bring reusable shopping bags when shopping.
4. Bring reusable utensils, straws, cups, and to-go containers to work.
5. Don’t drink bottled water or use other single-use plastics - opt for glass containers.
6. Try purchasing food without packaging and choose multi-use packing over single-use plastics.
7. Go vegan for a day with plant-based recipes.
8. Purchase organic and additive-free produce and grass-fed meats.
9. Start composting or sign up for a composting service.
10. Join a local farm co-op, purchase more groceries from a farmer’s market or start a garden exchange.