‘It hurts the economy’ – President Biden wages war on food waste
The Joe Biden administration has launched a national strategy to combat food loss and waste, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote recycling.
The National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics aims to halve food waste by 2030. The goal is to cut methane emissions and promote sustainability through supporting a ‘circular economy’.
The announcement was made by three departments with overall responsibility for key parts of the food chain, the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration.
The approach reflects President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to ‘tackle climate change, feed people, address environmental justice, and promote a circular economy’.
Food waste hurts the economy
“Each year, too much food produced in the United States ends up in landfills instead of on dining room tables. This hurts our economy by raising the cost of food and contributing to climate pollution,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a statement.
“The National Strategy provides a comprehensive set of actions that the Biden-Harris Administration will take to reduce waste and protect our environment while improving food security and saving money for families and businesses.”
Organics recycling is key
A key aspect of the strategy involves diverting organic waste from landfills, where it contributes to methane emissions. Recent EPA research indicates 58% of methane emissions from landfills come from food waste.
Other moves include launching a national consumer education campaign and expanding organics recycling infrastructure, chiefly in underserved communities.
Nearly $200 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is allocated to recycling projects, with over $83 million directed toward organics recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion projects.
These efforts align with the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40 percent of the benefits of federal investments reach disadvantaged communities.
