News Releases from Region 05

EPA Regional Administrator Highlights the Benefits of Reducing Food Waste in South Bend

(SOUTH BEND, IND. - November 5, 2015) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Susan Hedman joined South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg today at Ivy Tech Community College's culinary school to highlight the benefits of diverting food waste from landfills. South Bend area organizations and restauranteurs explained their food recovery practices.

"In the United States, a third of all food ends up in landfills," Hedman said. "EPA supports food recovery efforts to feed people instead of landfills - such as donating to food banks and shelters."

"Many in our community, including children and seniors, go without sufficient food on a daily basis, while tons of wasted food is dumped into our landfills each year," Mayor Buttigieg said. "This program is one way we can start to tackle hunger and food waste in our community to benefit those in need."

Food waste accounts for about 20 percent of U.S. landfills. As food decomposes it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. An average American family of four loses $1,600 a year by wasting food. Meanwhile, one in six Americans lacks reliable access to affordable, nutritious food.

For more information: http://www2.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food