Tackling Methane Emissions from Food Waste: A Comprehensive Approach

A groundbreaking report from ReFED and the Global Methane Hub has shed light on the significant link between food waste and methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. The report delves into the upstream and downstream emissions associated with wasted food, offering a comprehensive strategy to address this pressing environmental challenge.

Unlocking the Power of Wasted Food Emissions Reduction

Connecting the Dots Across the Supply Chain

The report emphasizes the importance of taking a holistic approach to tackling methane emissions from food waste. By examining the emissions across the entire supply chain, from production to disposal, the researchers have uncovered the true scale of the problem. The report reveals that an estimated 2.5 million metric tons of methane gas are associated with the production of wasted food, while an additional 1.5 million metric tons are generated from downstream management and disposal activities, such as landfilling.This comprehensive analysis underscores the need to address food waste at every stage of the supply chain. "We are trying to capture that altogether so that people can understand the power of wasted food emissions," explains Dana Gunders, president of the food waste solutions nonprofit ReFED.

Prioritizing Upstream Emissions Reduction

The report's findings suggest that strategies focused on reducing upstream emissions are likely to have the greatest immediate impact on methane emissions from wasted food. By addressing the emissions associated with the production of food that ultimately ends up in the waste stream, stakeholders can make significant strides in curbing the overall environmental impact.This emphasis on upstream emissions reduction aligns with the Biden administration's renewed focus on tackling methane emissions in the United States. As a signatory of the Global Methane Pledge, the U.S. has committed to reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030, and the administration has outlined a comprehensive strategy to achieve this goal.

Harnessing the Power of Disposal Site Emissions

The report also highlights the outsized impact of food waste on emissions from disposal sites, such as landfills. While food waste accounts for only 24% of landfilled material, it is responsible for a staggering 58% of fugitive landfill methane emissions. This is due in part to the rapid decay of organic matter in such facilities.Additionally, the report notes that a significant amount of methane is generated in sewers, largely due to the organic material sent down kitchen drains. This underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to addressing food waste-related emissions, encompassing both upstream and downstream interventions.

Identifying the Top Solutions

The report from ReFED and the Global Methane Hub presents a comprehensive set of solutions to address the methane emissions associated with food waste. According to their analysis, the top solution is centralized composting, which can effectively divert organic matter from landfills and capture the methane generated during the decomposition process.Other high-impact solutions include consumer education campaigns, portion resizing, centralized anaerobic digestion, and co-digestion at wastewater treatment plants. By implementing a combination of these strategies, stakeholders can make significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of wasted food.

Empowering Stakeholders with Data-Driven Insights

To support the implementation of these solutions, the report highlights the updates to ReFED's Insights Engine, a powerful tool that allows users to compare the methane impact of various solutions to wasted food. This data-driven platform also provides measurements on the cost and impact per dollar of each solution, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions and prioritize the most effective interventions."This is like pulling the emergency brake on climate," says Carolina Urmeneta, director of the waste and circular economy program at Global Methane Hub. "We don't have one silver bullet, we need to have multiple approaches to address this."The comprehensive approach outlined in the report from ReFED and the Global Methane Hub offers a roadmap for tackling the complex issue of methane emissions from food waste. By addressing the problem across the entire supply chain, prioritizing upstream emissions reduction, and leveraging a suite of targeted solutions, stakeholders can make significant strides in mitigating the environmental impact of this pressing issue.