Did you know it takes 25 years for a single head of lettuce to decompose in a landfill? While that same lettuce would break down in just 2-3 weeks in a backyard compost bin, landfills compact waste so tightly that oxygen cannot reach it, preventing the microbes needed for breakdown from doing their job. As food waste rots in the landfill, it decomposes and emits methane gas, a greenhouse gas roughly 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In Utah alone, approximately 600,000 tons of food goes to waste every single year, emitting harmful greenhouse gases, but also wasting the land, water, labor, and resources it takes to produce food. Reducing food waste is one of the most impactful ways you can take climate action today.

Check what you already have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer before heading to the store. Decide on your meals for the week based on what you already own. Then stick to the list you make! WasteLess has a Meal Planning Template to help you organize your kitchen and your shopping list. 

The average family of four wastes $1,500 worth of food every year, which is the equivalent of throwing away $125 every month. WasteLess offers a self-paced online course for individuals and businesses to master strategies for a waste-free home. Individuals can learn creative cooking, food preservation, proper food storage, composting, and more! Your investment in this course will empower you with the tools, habits, and knowledge to prevent that loss. With ongoing education and simple, practical strategies, most households can save $1,500 or more each year simply by learning how to store, cook, plan, and use food more efficiently. When you complete this course, you will receive a certificate of completion and lifetime access. Your payment is a tax-deductible donation that supports WasteLess’ programs to divert food from reaching the landfill, instead getting it to individuals facing food insecurity. 

By Laila Hakkarinen, Community Engagement Manager at WasteLess Solutions