21 Shocking Food Waste Facts and Statistics
Based on studies there are several people in US that only wastes their food while there are many people all over the world that are suffering from hunger. There is almost 40 percent food in US that is not eaten and globally there are food wasted in a year that is four billion tons which is very alarming. In 2010, America has 33.79 million of food being wasted which can fill 91 times an Empire State Building. In the same year the discarded food is one of the largest components that reached the incinerators and landfills of solid waste in the municipality. Healthy eating behavior, zero waste, competent consumption of products - these are important and relevant issues even in our time. In fact, we need to learn how to consume properly so as not to throw away food, buy college term paper to read what methods should be involved when choosing or disposing of products so as not to harm nature so much.
Each day, citizens of America waste too much food that can fill their rose bowl stadium which contains a 90,000 seat. Their country’s per capita has increased to 50 percent since 1974. If the Americans will have less food wasted that is only about 5 percent there could be a food left that’s enough to feed 4 million Americans. Having also less waste of 15 percent could feed 25 million Americans in a year.
Cost of Wasting Food in the US
Wasting too much food contains several factors that can affect the American people. Here are the possible effects that they might face due to wasting food:
• There will just be a total of 25 percent of freshwater that can be used in their country.
• There will be 300 million of barrels of oil being produced annually.
• Due to carelessly tossing food in trash cans it can cost $750 million annually.
• Almost $165 billion annually comes from waste in household.
• 33 million of waste in landfill can cause emission of greenhouse gas.
• There will just be an allocation of 2.5 percent of the energy budget of US.
How Does Food Get Wasted?
Average of the people in America tends to throw edible food annually that weighs 209 up to 254lbs. and 1.3 billion of the food being produced worldwide is lost due to being wasted or production cycle. In cases of restaurants food handlers does not have proper training in minimizing the food being wasted. Another is 30 percent of the food harvested in farms is not all being brought t supermarkets due to cosmetic criteria. There is only 30 up to 50 percent of food that reaches the supermarket is thrown in their homes by the customers who purchased it. Aside from this the majority while there is too much food being wasted is because of overcooking, plate waste, over purchasing and spoilage.
When it comes to the percentage of food wasted by an average American there is 15 percent on fruits, 33 percent on meat, 25 percent on seafood, 20 percent on vegetables, 18 percent on grains and 17 percent on dairy products.
8 Steps in Reducing Your Waste
In helping you reduce the waste you are producing everyday here are the following simple and easy steps that you can consider:
1. Shopping Wisely – Having a daily planned meals and using shopping lists can help you in avoiding too much food wasted.
2. Buying Funny Looking Fruits – It can utilize the food that can be gone to waste.
3. Learning the shelf life of foods – Don’t be confused on the dates stated on the product which is the reason why most foods are being thrown away which are still consumable.
4. Using a Freezer – Placing foods in the freezer can extend a foods storage life so it can still be eaten again.
5. Requesting Smaller Portions – Some restaurants enables food to be serve on half portions if requested at a reduced price.
6. Eating Leftovers – Taking out the food that you leftover in restaurants is a good way to reduce wasted food.
7. Composting Food Scraps – Recycling the foods nutrients is a great alternative so it can e consumed again.
8. Donating Food – Donating foods that are still consumable is also a good choice where you can be of help to other people.