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News Releases from Region 04

EPA Recognizes Charleston County School District for Reducing Food Waste

11/16/2015
Contact Information: 
James Pinkney (pinkney.james@epa.gov)
404-562-9183, 404-562-8400

ATLANTA - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the Charleston County School District for the District's achievements in reducing food waste. The District cultivated one of the state's first student-driven commercial composting programs which grew from 11 participating schools to now include 48 schools.

This Award recognizes Charleston County School District for Outstanding Achievement in Food Waste Prevention and Diversion for 2015. Since 2012, over 2,100,000 pounds of food waste was diverted and repurposed into compost. EPA Region 4 celebrates this local government, School District, Superintendent, its management, employees, teachers and students for the diligence, dedication and commitment to make a sustainable environmental difference in our community.

Nationwide, wasted food contributes a significant amount to landfills-more than 36 million tons in 2013 alone. As the food decomposes, it creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. By donating excess food instead, businesses, schools, and organizations can help the environment while providing safe and healthy meals to some of the 50 million Americans who do not have access to enough food.

More about the Food Recovery Challenge, and how your organization can join:
http://www.epa.gov/foodrecoverychallenge/


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