Biden-Harris Administration unveils strategy to reduce food waste and promote organics recycling
A national plan aims to halve food waste by 2030.
Robert Giannis Jr. June 18, 2024
The Biden-Harris administration has rolled out a strategy to address food loss and waste in the United States, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase recycling.
The National Strategy for Food Loss and Waste Reduction and Organics Recycling recently released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aims to halve food waste by 2030. The goal is to support a circular economy, reduce methane emissions, and promote sustainability.
“Each year, much of the food produced in the United States ends up in landfills instead of on our table, hurting our economy by raising food prices and fueling climate pollution,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a statement. “The national strategy we're releasing today outlines a comprehensive set of steps the Biden-Harris Administration will take to reduce waste and protect our environment, while also improving food security and saving families and businesses money.”
USDA highlighted its commitment to reducing food waste through a variety of programs and activities, and FDA stressed the role of consumers and retailers in achieving these goals. Commissioner Robert M. Califf encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of resources such as the 2022 Food Code and the Food Loss and Waste Social Media Toolkit to help meet the goals.
A key aspect of this strategy is diverting methane-emitting organic waste from landfills: a recent EPA study found that 58% of methane emissions from landfills come from food waste. Other efforts include launching a national consumer education campaign and expanding organics recycling infrastructure, especially in underserved areas.
Nearly $200 million from the bipartisan infrastructure legislation has been allocated to recycling projects, including more than $83 million for 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.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is a content editor at Environmental Protection.
