|
Converting
Food Scraps to Energy – Facts and Figures
Source: EPA, Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2007 Facts and Figures (2007)
- In the United States, 254 million tons of municipal solid waste (otherwise known as trash or garbage) was generated in 2007.
- The amount of food scraps generated in the United States was estimated to be 31.7 million tons in 2007.
- The amount of food scraps generated has almost doubled since 1960.
- Food waste comprised 12.5% of total materials generated in municipal solid waste in 2007.
- Significant amounts of food products are donated by residents and commercial establishments, such as grocery stores, to local food banks and charities. A good portion of these food donations represent waste diversion by removing food scraps that would otherwise need to be managed either through composting or disposal.
|
