By Andi Anderson
The City of Columbus has teamed up with Ohio State University to launch a pilot campaign focused on reducing household food waste. This initiative aims to test various strategies to help families waste less food, save money, and reduce environmental harm.
With the city’s commitment to sustainability, Columbus is the first location for this project, which will roll out in early 2025.
Led by Professor Brian Roe from Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, the campaign is part of a larger $2.5 million project funded by the USDA.
It will assess the effectiveness of different food waste reduction methods across three U.S. cities. Insights gained will guide a national effort to curb food waste and lessen the environmental impact of landfill waste.
Food waste is a significant issue, with about one-third of all food in the U.S. being discarded, much of it from households. The campaign will educate residents on the financial and environmental benefits of reducing waste.
By wasting less food, families can stretch their grocery budgets, and communities can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. This would lower methane emissions, a key contributor to climate change.
In addition to economic benefits, the project will also help local governments manage landfill space and reduce pollution. Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther highlighted the campaign’s potential to improve both household finances and environmental sustainability.
The pilot will gather data from participating households to identify the most effective strategies. The findings will help other cities replicate the campaign and reduce food waste on a broader scale.
Photo Credit: pexels-denise-nys
Categories: Ohio, Rural Lifestyle