Food is a valuable resource. Edible and inedible food reaches landfills more than any other material in everyday trash. Below are resources to help you prevent food from being wasted, in addition to links to more information about the Use Food Well Washington planning process.
Why is preventing food waste important?
Preventing wasted food has social, environmental, and economic value:
How much food waste is there in Washington?
Food waste is the largest component of the state and country's municipal solid waste. State data from 2015-16 shows that:
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Food makes up 16 percent of overall garbage (779,555 tons), which includes residential, commercial, and self-hauled garbage.
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Edible food is being discarded. Edible food makes up 8 percent of overall garbage (374,490 tons).