Wisconsin is taking a stand against the mountain of food waste accumulating in its landfills, as revealed in a new report published by the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The comprehensive Wisconsin Food Waste Evaluation, funded by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant, casts a stark light on the current realities of food waste in Wisconsin and proposes a path forward to halve it per capita by 2030. It's a hefty goal, given that Wisconsin residents and food service entities are currently responsible for 88% of the food waste ending up in landfills.
To even begin to meet the proposed reduction target, infrastructure for hauling food waste to sites other than landfills must be massively expanded. At present, a scant 30 out of 286 licensed composting facilities are approved to accept food scraps, and only 37 out of 122 anaerobic digestion locations handle this type of waste. Addressing this shortfall, as the DNR itself puts it, will require "education, technical support and funding." On top of this, they suggest that legislative reform might be necessary to streamline these changes, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
In their evaluation, DNR found this infrastructure deficit critical, while also pointing out the potential benefits of improving it. According to Kate Strom Hiorns, director of the DNR’s Waste and Materials Management Program, "Through the sustainable management of food, we can conserve resources, help businesses and consumers save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide access to food for those who do not have enough to eat."
The report is not just a figure-pointing exercise but a detailed analysis carrying recommendations for practically everyone – individuals, businesses, and government bodies alike. Yet, to turn these recommendations into reality, broad cooperation and public initiative will have to take hold swiftly. One significant obstacle to efficiently managing the food waste crisis is the need to greatly increase the current levels of processing infrastructure across the state. The DNR has emphasized that this will require the collective effort of various stakeholders, including the public, especially when striving to serve communities where hunger is a daily struggle.
In light of the pressing issues identified, DNR has scheduled a public webinar for February 3, inviting all interested to better understand the complexities of waste management in Wisconsin. The commitment poured into this study and the subsequent action plans reflect Wisconsin's drive to tackle waste reduction and resource management in earnest. With almost 854,000 tons of food waste a year worth rescuing from landfills, the stakes could not be higher. To join the webinar or dive into the full report, readers can head over to the DNR's website for all the critical details and a chance to partake in the conversation.
