Sqwatch's Secret #3: Reduce Food Waste

Food for thought: up to 40% of all food produced in the U.S. is thrown away, according to the EPA. That not only wastes food, but it also wastes all the resources that were used for growing, manufacturing, and transporting the food. Keeping food waste to a minimum helps reduce pollution at every step in the chain.

Here are some simple tips to keep food out of the compost:

• Buy only what you need - understand what you're throwing away and adjust your buying habits to avoid over-purchasing. Whether it's at home or eating out, make sure you're only dishing up what you need, and keep any leftovers for future meals.
• If you do end up with too much food, you can donate to local food banks. Here are some handy tips on how and where to donate in Seattle.
• More tips on reducing food waste and benefits of reducing.

If you do end up with food that has spoiled, make sure it goes in the compost instead of the trash. You can use Seattle's municipal compost collection, or start your own. See why composting is why it’s good for your garden and the environment.

You can also help reduce waste around Seattle. The Food Recovery Network of UW is a student group that helps save food which would otherwise be wasted and uses it to feed people in need. Contact them to learn more.

Below is a video from Seattle Public Utilities with more information:

The UW Sustainability mascot, Sqwatch, has a love of the environment so deep his heart is green (and he's clearly got a passion for purple and gold). As a Sasquatch, Sqwatch is well versed in leaving no trace and making sure his impact on the environment is minimal. Even a Bigfoot can have a small environmental footprint, and Sqwatch is here to help spread the knowledge to the UW community. We'll be letting you in on some of Sqwatch's Secrets every week, providing easy tips to reduce your impact and leave a lighter footprint.