Food Waste and Composting

According to the US Health Department, approximately 25% of the food Americans buy becomes waste. That’s about one pound of food, per person, per day. What is alarming is that the rotting food in landfills produce methane, a major source of greenhouse gases. Methane , like carbon dioxide, contributes to global warming.

I find the fact that the average person manages to waste this amount of food is staggering. I understand that often parents with young children throw out what their kids don’t eat. The simplest solution to this problem is to figure out how much food your kids consume. Give them an appropriate portion and cook the right amount of food.

For example, my husband and I typically consume 4 ounces of protein. I generally cook enough for 2 nights in a row, so I prepare a pound of protein—meat, tofu, whatever. Pay attention to portion sizes and simply calculate.

If you do have leftovers, consider eating them for lunch the following day. Most food will be fine as leftovers. One exception, however, is dressed salad, because the dressing will make salad soggy.

If you still have leftovers, compost them. See my post for how to here. Compost will not produce the dangerous methane like it does in landfill. Instead, compost will give you dirt that is dynamite when applied to plants!

Since I began using compost, my trees, flowers and shrubs are amazing! Plants grow faster, flowering shrubs and flowers produce more and they just look great!
If you are throwing food out and need more help, please ask me specific questions and I will try to help.

By the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet,