MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has shared a report on food waste in the state. This evaluation aims to shed light on how food waste is managed and suggests ways to cut down on what ends up in landfills.
The report emphasizes a statewide goal: cut per-capita food waste disposal in landfills by 50% by 2030, based on 2020 levels. This is a significant challenge, especially considering the current statistics.
The key findings are eye-opening:
- A staggering 88% of the food waste in Wisconsin landfills comes from homes and food services. Homes contribute the most, at 47%.
- To meet the goal, Wisconsin needs to significantly improve its infrastructure for handling food waste, such as composting and anaerobic digestion facilities.
- Among 286 licensed composting facilities, only 30 (about 10%) can accept food waste. Similarly, out of 122 anaerobic digestion sites, only 37 (30%) take food waste.
- To boost food donation and better manage food waste, more education, technical support, and funding are necessary. Some regulatory changes may also be needed.
Kate Strom Hiorns, the DNR Waste and Materials Management Program Director, shared insight on the report: “Through sustainable food management, we can save resources, help consumers save money, reduce greenhouse gases, and provide food to those in need.”
Data from a related 2021 study revealed that food and scraps make up 20% of the waste sent to Wisconsin landfills. That’s a whopping estimate of 854,000 tons each year, or about 294 pounds per person. Alarmingly, over three-quarters of this food could have been consumed. Wasting food also wastes money and resources.
The DNR’s initiatives began with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess Wisconsin’s food waste landscape. Working with HDR, Inc., the DNR gathered data from various stakeholders. This included food rescue groups, local governments, and waste haulers, highlighting a community effort in tackling this issue.
If you’re looking to learn more, check out the DNR’s full report.
The conversation around food waste is growing. As awareness spreads, people are looking for ways to make a difference. Whether it’s through community gardens, local composting programs, or awareness campaigns on social media, every little effort counts. Together, we can aim for a cleaner, greener future.
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