Food waste in the United States: A contributing factor toward environmental instability

Abstract

The world's population continues to increase at record rates along with corresponding nutritional needs and related agricultural consequences. In the United States, food waste levels serve as dominant components of landfill masses, oil and freshwater waste, methane and CO 2 emissions, damage to wildlife ecosystems, and substantial financial losses. Agricultural effects on the environment were investigated through various research studies, referenced in this document, and efforts made toward food waste recycling were discussed as noteworthy models concerning improvements in sustainable agricultural practices. Food waste levels in the United States can be traced as faults of consumers, agricultural businesses, as well as federal legislation and there is an evident need for reform to maintain consumer health, viable foreign affairs, and environmental sustainability. Present agricultural practices are intense and rapid, increasing the risk of soil infertility and commercial alterations in production yields; repercussions well documented in neighboring nations. Experts argue that food waste in developed countries damages food availability around the world and, based on current agricultural practices and production, there is debate concerning the earth's sustainability of the human population in coming generations. This article delineates the extent to which food waste in the United States serves as an integral factor toward environmental instability on a global scale with emphasis on the critical capacity of public reception of the content discussed herein.

Enhancing the Energy Efficiency of Wastewater Treatment Plants through Co-digestion and Fuel Cell Systems

“…But this does not seems a problem. Co-digestion is in fact also interesting because of the high availability of organic substrates (Hickey and Ozbay, 2014;Vilarino et al, 2017). Kim et al (2016) mentioned that that annual food waste in US could potentially generate the 0.12% of the total global electrical energy consumptions.…”

“We see a real opportunity around food waste”: exploring the relationship between on-farm food waste and farm characteristics

“…Waste management strategies that provide little value in terms of nutrition or useable products, such as disposing of food waste in landfills, are considered to be less favourable, while waste management strategies that reclaim some of the nutrients and resources found in food waste, such as feeding animals and composting, are considered to be more favourable. Hickey & Ozbay (2014) state that considerable efficiency improvements in food waste control and management are necessary, and that efforts to reduce and recycle food waste should be promoted.…”

“…Researchers agree that food waste reduction should be targeted as a sustainability issue (Gunders, 2012;Hodges et al, 2011;MacRae et al, 2011;Parfitt et al, 2010;Ridoutt et al 2010;Smil, 2004). Hickey & Ozbay (2014) state that the global food system needs to transition towards environmental sustainability, and that addressing food waste is a key component to meeting this objective. Similarly, Buzby,…”

“…including Hickey & Ozbay (2014) state that the global food system needs to be transitioned towards sustainability, and that addressing the problem of food waste is a key component to meeting this objective.…”

An Evaluation of Current Lunchroom Food Waste and Food Rescue Programs in a Washington State School District

“…It is estimated that the U.S. wastes 16% of energy, 67% of total used U.S. freshwater, and 50% of U.S. land annually via wasted food (Gunders, 2017). In addition, diverting food from landfills to other more preferred uses could lessen the environmental impact of landfill-generated carbon emissions from food waste, which comprise 17% of landfill mass (Hickey & Ozbay, 2014).…”