Food Recovery Summit
Join S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control as it co-hosts the Food Recovery Summit November 16-18 in Charleston. The event is presented by Southeast Recycling Development Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), BioCycle, SCDHEC and N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.
Food waste is one the largest components of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed of in the nation's landfills. To keep food waste out of landfills and help connect food surpluses to those who need it, the EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture have set a goal to reduce food waste 50 percent nationally by 2030.
The Summit will bring together communities and food recovery thought leaders from across the nation to ignite discussion and initiatives on how to work together to cut food waste. The national event will include sessions on preventing food waste, food rescue and donation, and reducing the food waste burden on landfills.
Download Program (pdf)
Why food waste?
Food waste was the largest component of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed of in the nation's landfills in 2013 and comprises about 14 percent of the Nation's waste stream overall. South Carolina alone produced an estimated 628,113 tons of food waste that went to landfills in fiscal year (FY) 2014.
Increased food recovery has significant economic, social and environmental benefits.
- Preventing food waste can save businesses money through improved purchasing and food preparation practices that also result in lower disposal costs.
- Food donation, done properly, is a safe and easy way to provide food that is much needed by many individuals.
- Composting turns excess food that is not fit for consumption into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
All three actions - prevention, donation and composting - reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfills and saves resources used to produce food (e.g., water and energy).
For more information on recycling in South Carolina, visit www.scdhec.gov/recycle/ .