Did you know that the U.S. throws away $218 billion worth of food each year? Not only is that an incredible waste, but it’s also costing the American family of four roughly $1,500 every year. And did you ever consider that when good food goes to waste, so do all of the resources used to grow, store and transport it?
Check out these staggering facts about food waste:
• In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month
• If global food loss and waste was a country, it would have the world’s largest greenhouse gas footprint after the U.S. and China.
• 28 percent of the world’s agricultural land—an area larger than Canada—is used to grow food that never gets eaten.
• In the U.S., 25 percent of our nation’s fresh water goes into producing food that is never eaten.
• Food waste is the single largest component of solid waste in U.S. landfills.
Pause Before Tossing
If we are all a little more mindful of food waste, and pause before tossing, we can turn this sinking ship around. The folks at Smart Lifebites put together some ideas to help reduce waste, and actually create some tasty snacks while doing so! You can reduce food waste in your home by whipping up baked apple peels, crispy potato skins or healthy, homemade soup! Enjoy our infographic, and please share your ideas on fighting food waste.
Click for Printable Infographic
Sources: “Food Waste Facts” via Say No to Food Waste; “Food Waste: The Facts” via World Food Day USA