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Recent analysis from the University of California, Davis reveals that the United States is falling short of its target to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.
In 2015, the U.S. set a goal to cut food loss and waste by half, aiming to decrease the volume of food ending up in landfills and emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Despite efforts at the state level, UC Davis researchers found that no state is on track to meet the national waste reduction goal without further federal intervention.
Even with reduction measures in place, the U.S. still generates an estimated 328 pounds of food waste per person annually, a figure unchanged since 2016 when the waste-cutting goal was announced.
Lead author of the study published in Nature, Sarah Kakadellis, emphasizes that current strategies are insufficient to reach the waste reduction targets set by the U.S.
To evaluate progress towards food waste reduction goals, Kakadellis and her team utilized publicly available data and policy estimates, highlighting the need for national leadership on this issue.
Kakadellis suggests a shift in consumer perception towards waste management strategies like composting, which can recycle organic material into nutrient-rich mixtures for plant fertilization.
The EPA updated its food waste definition in 2021 to include composting and anaerobic digestion, promoting alternatives to landfill disposal and stressing the importance of waste prevention.
While composting plays a vital role in diverting food waste, Kakadellis and Leonard underscore the significance of addressing food waste at various stages of production and consumption.
Both experts advocate for a comprehensive approach to reducing food waste, acknowledging composting as a practical interim solution until more sustainable protocols are established.
For more information, read the full article on Grist at https://grist.org/food-and-agriculture/the-us-wants-cut-food-waste-in-half-were-not-even-close/.
