By the Numbers: Environmental impact of food waste in America

March 15, 2010 4:32 PM

40 percent

Don't let it go to waste.

Estimated amount of edible food wasted in this country along the supply chain. Among other issues it creates, that waste has a negative impact on the environment, according to a recent National Institutes of Health study, "The Progressive Increase of Food Waste in America and Its Environmental Impact."

More than 25 percent of the nation's total freshwater supply goes to growing food that's ultimately wasted, and about 300 million barrels of oil annually are spent processing and transporting food that gets wasted, according to study estimates, which also notes that landfills with rotting food emit substantial quantities of methane.

That wasted food is not only bad for the environment but it will also cost you money. To cut down on the amount of food you throw out:

• Store food properly. Check out our report on the best food-storage bags and use our tips for storing fruits and vegetables in and out of your refrigerator and in your freezer. For more food-storage advice, download a PDF of "Keep It Fresh!" from the ShopSmart archives.

• Eat leftovers promptly. FoodNetwork.com has a long list of recipes for leftovers.

• Use common sense regarding dating labels on packaged food. "Sell by" indicates the last day a product should be sold but takes into account time for consumer use. For example, milk is okay for about seven days after the sell-by date. "Best if used by" is the last day an item, such as dry cereal, is at its peak. It is not a safety date. If a product has a "use by" date, follow it.

You might also encourage supermarkets and restaurants in your area to participate in food-recovery programs that collect and distribute food to those in need.

How do you cut down on food waste? Share your tips by posting a comment below.

—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Instead of throwing out food, compost it. Use our advice on composting to learn how to start and which foods can be composted. And cut down on your cookprint—the energy you use to prepare the food you eat.