While most of us are quick to throw out that shriveled zucchini or that half-eaten takeout from last week, the truth is, our thoughtless tossing of food has a bigger effect than we might think. The City of Austin witnesses around 1.24 million pounds of food waste every single day. That's a lot of uneaten meals going into the landfill, folks.
But when food ends up in landfills, it doesn't just disappear. It festers, decay, and ultimately turns into methane—a nasty contributor to the greenhouse gases warming up our planet. In fact, close to 10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions stem from just this kind of food waste, as detailed by the City of Austin. The methane emissions are not only damaging the climate, but also represent a colossal waste of money—over $218 billion annually on a national scale, to put it in perspective.
Let's get down to brass tacks with some practical tactics to curb the food waste epidemic. An "Eat This Now" section in your fridge could be the hero you never knew you needed, ensuring food that'll soon see better days gets eaten first. Austin Resource Recovery has more than just a suggestion up it's sleeve—they're on a mission to keep Austinites clued in on how to save some green by being green. Furthermore, if cooking is more your jam, rein in the habit of preparing more than what your belly can handle. A food calculator is just a click away to help determine the right amount.
When it comes to storing your fruits and veggies, knowledge is power—knowing whether they thrive in the cold darkness of your fridge or under the warm glow on your countertop can make a difference in their longevity. And let's not forget the humble freezer, an unsung superhero in preserving your foods longevity. Lastly, take those "best by" and "sell by" dates with a grain of salt, or rather, use your own judgment; these labels are more guidelines than gospel, as they're not stringently regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more tips on reducing food waste, visit AustinTexas.gov.
