Food waste and global warming

Beautiful & delicious – smaller portions minimise waste

Did you know that food waste contributes to global warming? When organic material decomposes in landfills without the oxygen, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas (GHG) which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide!

The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States estimates that more than 50% of global methane emissions are related to human activities. A study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) found that about one third of the world’s food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted annually!

Lessen food waste in your home and help fight global warming by doing the following…

  • Stick to a shopping list and only buy what you need. This will ensure food doesn’t spoil before you have a chance to eat it.
  • Watch portion sizes when you cook and serve food in order to avoid leftovers. If there are leftovers, refrigerate or freeze so the food can be eaten later.
  • Instead of throwing vegetable peels in the trash, start a compost bin or worm farm which will turn food waste into eco-friendly organic fertiliser for your garden.

This week’s eco tip is courtesy of Monique Warner at All4Women.co.za

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