According to a 2016, large-scale study conducted by ReFED, “…the United States spends over $218 billion – 1.3% of GDP – growing, processing, transporting, and disposing of food that is never eaten”.

Tossing edible food doesn’t just waste money. Discarded food is sent to landfills, where it rots and produces methane gas, which is the second most common greenhouse gas, throwing out your food contributes to climate change. 

It wastes a huge amount of water, too. According to the World Resources Institute, 24% of all the water used for agriculture is lost through food waste every year. That’s 45 trillion gallons (about 170 trillion liters).  Although these numbers may seem overwhelming, you can help reduce this harmful practice by following these easy tips: 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/reduce-food-waste

https://www.Earth.Org

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Alternatives for Waste Management (nmsu.edu)