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Food waste is a complex issue that cuts across the personal to the industrial, and involves a range of factors from purchasing preferences to overproduction.
According to a new study by MITRE-Gallup, the average American household throws away one kilo of food per week, which equates to 168 kilos per year. It is estimated that each household could save at least $1,500 per year by reducing or completely eliminating food waste.
The main factor contributing to the worsening situation is leftovers and/or food waste. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, 30-40% of food is wasted. ReFed, an organisation dedicated to ending food waste through data-driven solutions, estimates that it costs residents $310 billion in total.
And, despite the environmental motivation for ‘saving’ food that ends up in landfill and emitting greenhouse gases, the main motivation behind the food waste study participants was to save money. 82% chose to save money, while only 40% chose to reduce their environmental impact.
