Effects of Food Waste on the Environment and the Economy Jessica B Effects of Food Waste on the Environment and the Economy Jessica B. Joanis Econ 2505 Prof. Sean P. MacDonald May 24, 2017

Facts about the negative effects of food waste Food waste in landfills is one of the biggest contributors to climate change (responsible for 7% of total gas emissions on the planet)

Facts about the negative effects of food waste Food waste is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, after the United States and China (Gardiner, 2014) 60 million metric tons of foods are being wasted annually in the United States and half of them end up in landfills (Nixon, 2015) As a result, food waste costs local municipals $1.5 billion each year (Nixon, 2015)

Facts about the negative effects of food waste Food waste in landfills causes air pollution People living close to landfills are at risk of developing cancer (Taylor, 1999) Study shows that women living close to landfills are at risk of giving birth to children with developmental abnormalities (Taylor 1999)

Ways to reduce food waste Raise awareness about food waste and its effects on the environment and the economy Create federal laws that encourage food donations by restaurants and other businesses Do as South Korea and charge households by weight garbage Or do as Great Britain and improve food labels and packaging

Ways to reduce food waste Educate people about its negative effects If the label says it is expired and people taste the food and it is fine, there is no reason to throw it away Buy only what is needed and not what you can afford

Work Cited 1. Aubrey, A. (2015, September 16). It's Time To Get Serious About Reducing Food Waste, Feds Say. In http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/09/16/440825159/its-time-to-get-serious-about-reducing-food-waste-feds-say. Retrieved April 19, 2017. 2. Gardiner, B. (2014, April 23). The Economic and Environmental Costs of Wasted Food. In https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/business/energy-environment/the-economic-and-environmental-costs-of-wasted-food.html?_r=0. Retrieved April 26, 2017. 3. Leib, E. B. (2016, September 21). Eliminate Laws That Cause Healthy Food to Go to Waste. In https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/09/21/keeping-food-on-the-plate-and-out-of-landfills/eliminate-laws-that-cause-healthy-food-to-go-to-waste. Retrieved May 10, 2017. 4. Nixon, R. (2015, February 25). Food Waste Is Becoming Serious Economic and Environmental Issue, Report Says. In https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/us/food-waste-is-becoming-serious-economic-and-environmental-issue-report-says.html?_r=0. Retrieved April 19, 2017. 5. Taylor, D. (1999, August). Talking trash: the economic and environmental issues of landfills. Environmental Health Perspectives, 107(8), A404-A409.