13.2: Food Recovery Hierarchy Animation Video
Transcript:
Food Recovery Hierarchy
Every day large amounts of food are prepared in commercial kitchens. Unfortunately, a great deal of this food ends up in landfills. This waste represents lost profit as well as lost opportunities to feed people.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests a strategy for reducing food waste referred to as the Food Recovery Hierarchy.
The first and most preferred step for reducing waste is to more carefully control the amount of food produced and avoid food that is purchased and prepared unnecessarily.
Even with very careful planning, there will be food left over. Rather than ending up in the landfill, this food can be donated to feed hungry people.
Some food waste may not be suitable for human consumption, but appropriate to feed animals.
Food waste, such as fats and oils, can be diverted from landfills and sewer systems and used for industrial purposes such as biofuels.
Food that is biodegradable is capable of being broken down into harmless products by worms, insects, and bacteria. Any food waste that is biodegradable can be composted. Composting not only reduces waste going to the landfill, but also produces a highly fertile growing substance.
When all other options have been exhausted, the last resort should be incineration or the landfill.