Biden Harris Administration Unveils Strategy to Cut Food Waste and Boost Organics Recycling
The national plan aims to cut food waste in half by 2030.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jun 18, 2024
The Biden-Harris administration has rolled out a strategy to combat food loss and waste in the United States, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote recycling.
Announced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a recent release, the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics aims to halve food waste by 2030. Supporting a circular economy, the goal is to cut methane emissions and promote sustainability.
“Each year, too much food produced in the United States ends up in landfills instead of on dining room tables. This hurts our economy by raising the cost of food and contributing to climate pollution,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a statement. “The National Strategy we are announcing today provides a comprehensive set of actions that the Biden-Harris Administration will take to reduce waste and protect our environment while improving food security and saving money for families and businesses.”
The USDA emphasized its commitment to reducing food waste through various programs and activities, and the FDA highlighted the role of consumers and retailers in achieving these goals. Commissioner Robert M. Califf urged stakeholders to utilize resources like the 2022 Food Code and the Food Loss and Waste Social Media Toolkit to help meet the targets.
A key aspect of the strategy involves diverting organic waste from landfills, where it contributes to methane emissions. Recent EPA research indicates 58 percent of methane emissions from landfills come from food waste. Other moves include launching a national consumer education campaign and expanding organics recycling infrastructure, chiefly in underserved communities.
Nearly $200 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is allocated to recycling projects, with over $83 million directed toward organics recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion projects. These efforts align with the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40 percent of the benefits of federal investments reach disadvantaged communities.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor for Environmental Protection.