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.
