The United States is sitting on a climate solution that’s quite literally rotting in its trash cans. Food waste, a rare bipartisan concern, remains a glaringly overlooked opportunity in the fight against climate change. Despite legislative efforts and initiatives from the EPA and the Biden administration, progress has been sluggish. In 2023, the U.S. still wasted roughly a third of its food supply, contributing to 8-10% of global emissions—more than the entire aviation industry.
The problem is complex, occurring at every stage of the supply chain, from farms to fridges. “Nobody wakes up wanting to waste food,” says Dana Gunders, president of ReFED, highlighting the disconnect between intent and action. The climate cost is staggering: 92% of food waste emissions occur during production, transport, and storage, with only 8% coming from disposal. Fruits and vegetables make up nearly half of all U.S. food waste, but wasting meat, particularly beef, has a far greater environmental impact due to the resources required for production and the methane released by cattle.
Experts argue that reducing food loss and waste is one of the most impactful and practical ways to slow climate change. Project Drawdown calls it an “emergency brake” solution—one that can rapidly slash emissions using existing tools. Minerva Ringland of ReFED emphasizes that preventing food waste is not only effective for emissions reduction but also saves money and keeps people fed. Household waste is particularly high, driven by overbuying, misinterpreted date labels, and lack of composting access. Strategies like meal planning, smaller portions, and repurposing leftovers can help, but experts stress the need for systemic changes, such as clearer guidance from retailers and government-led awareness campaigns.
The EPA identifies donation and upcycling as preferred approaches, but these still result in significant waste and require energy for transport and processing. Most surplus food ends up in landfills, where it decays and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Landfills produce 17% of human-related methane emissions in the U.S., after oil and gas and livestock digestion.
This news underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action in the water, sanitation, and drainage sector. Addressing food waste requires collaboration across the supply chain, from farmers to consumers, and from policymakers to retailers. The sector must innovate to reduce waste at its source, improve food recovery systems, and invest in technologies that minimize the environmental impact of disposal. The potential climate benefits are immense, but realizing them demands bold, coordinated efforts. The time to act is now.