Industry Topics

Food Waste

Food waste is a highly visible and urgent challenge facing the world, especially in light of an increasing number of people who are struggling with hunger.

FMI and GMA are working in an industry coalition focused on tackling this issue with an aggressive strategy that will send more edible food to the hungry and move food waste from landfills toward productive uses such as animal feed, waste-to-energy and composting. According to a 2012 study by the non-profit sustainability group BSR commissioned by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), post-harvest food waste levels in the U.S. are approximately 121 billion pounds per year, or 390 pounds of food waste per person annually. Most of that food waste – about 80 billion pounds a year – is being sent to landfills, contributing to greenhouse gasses and forfeiting opportunities to be used productively in other ways.

From an economic standpoint, food waste sent to landfill represents an opportunity for improved efficiencies and cost savings for businesses and consumers. Our three year effort will result in better understanding these challenges; identifying best practices, new technologies and emerging solutions to reduce and repurpose food waste; and policy proposals that will make food donations to the hungry more streamlined and effective.

For more information on the activities of the coalition, review the article, 'On a Mission to Reduce Food Waste'

FMI and GMA are partnering on a major industry collaboration to keep waste our of landfill!

Led by a team of retail, manufacturers and restaurant industry leaders, with partners from the waste and anti-hunger communities, The Food Waste Reduction Alliance is working to increase the amount of food donated in the U.S. and reduce food waste sent to landfills. Learn about what the great benefits are to every stakeholder and contact us to become engaged!

Food Waste Reduction Alliance Project

Garbage! = Sustainable Energy Source?
As our nation searches for sustainable energy solutions, an energy source passes through our hands unnoticed every day. We can take these waste streams and convert them into useful energy, convenient fuels or valuable materials. The reuse of this waste could power up to 16 million homes every year. The bottom line: With today's technologies, the untapped potential of our nation's solid waste is too vast to continue burying it in landfills. Check this cool video on how!

Garbage Could Be Sustainable Energy Source
As our nation searches for sustainable energy solutions, an energy source passes through our hands unnoticed every day. We can take these waste streams and convert them into useful energy, convenient fuels or valuable materials. The reuse of this waste could power up to 16 million homes every year. The bottom line: With today's technologies, the untapped potential of our nation's solid waste is too vast to continue burying it in landfills. Check this cool video on how!

Resources:

Help Your Supermarket Cut Food Waste

Wipe Out Food Waste Webinar 1