In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food scraps that end up in the waste stream take up valuable space, energy and financial resources. Plus, they create a mess. Remember, food scraps NEVER belong in the recycling bin. Ready to reduce food waste? OCRRA has tips to help you adopt simple habits at home, work and school.
Home
Have you ever tracked how much food you throw away every day? You may be surprised. A little planning goes a long way to prevent food waste and save you money! From organizing cupboards to better understanding “best by” dates, OCRRA has some valuable guidance in several languages. Need ideas for recipes to use up food scraps? You’ll find those too!
Work
OCRRA can help restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses reduce waste and save the world a little each day. Diverting food waste can boost local composting programs and potentially reduce disposal fees. The effort also shows employees and customers that your workplace is committed to being a local environmental leader.
School
Where do leftovers go at your school cafeteria? Learn how some Onondaga County schools have separated food scraps from trash and recyclables to reduce trash overall. Even better, when meal scraps are brought to OCRRA’s compost sites, they can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost that helps families and businesses in Onondaga County grow more food.
