Feed the Planet, Not the Landfills

Every year on April 22, people across the globe pause to celebrate Earth Day by picking up litter, using reusable water bottles and spending time in nature. While these actions matter, our care and attention for the earth are far too often limited to the single day. The truth is that the challenges we face require action every single day.

About 92 billion pounds of perfectly edible food in the United States is discarded annually. Meanwhile, one in eight Arizonans don’t have enough to eat. This isn’t just a social issue; it’s also an environmental crisis with severe consequences. When wasted food ends up in landfills, it quickly generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. In fact, landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions in the United States.

At Waste Not, we are working on changing this narrative every day, not just on Earth Day.

From restaurants, sporting events, grocery stores and hotels, every day Waste Not rescues and redistributes perishable food daily to those in need. In 2024, Waste Not saved over 2.7 million pounds of food from landfills!  As part of our Earth Month efforts and celebrating Food Waste Prevention Week, Waste Not amplified its impact by participating in several special initiatives. Most notably, on April 12, our Waste Not drivers collected over 8,500 pounds of food and water from the Pat Tillman Run, ensuring that no food or water would go to waste.

The good news is that you don’t have to wait until the holiday to make a difference. Here are a few ways you can help make a significant impact all year long:

1. Shop Your Fridge

   All too often, new groceries are placed in front and center of your fridge, therefore pushing older foods to the back and being forgotten. By “shopping your fridge,” you can use what you already have, reduce waste, and save money. Start by taking inventory of your fridge, freezer and pantry before you go to the store. If things need to be eaten soon, move them to the front at eye level. This way, you won’t be able to miss them.

   
   

2. Make a Grocery Store List (and Stick to It!)

   We all tend to go grocery shopping while we are hungry and without a plan. This plan is often a recipe for impulse buys, especially unhealthy snacks. While this may seem fun, it usually leads to overspending on food that will be forgotten and thrown away. To prevent this from happening, creating and sticking to a list for the coming week will help make you accountable and organized.

   
   

3. Understand Date Labels

   One of the most significant contributors to food waste is confusion around date labels. “Best By” labels don’t always mean “bad after.” In fact, according to the USDA, “Best if Used By/Before" doesn’t mean it is a health risk; instead, it means a product will be of the best flavor or quality. To prevent throwing out perfectly edible food, trust your senses. If it smells, looks, or feels bad, throw it out. Of course, when in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry, but don’t let misleading labels fool you.

   
   

4. Compost What You Can’t Eat

   Even with the best planning, sometimes food waste is unavoidable. Instead of tossing food scraps in the trash, consider composting and giving your food a second life.  

   You can start small. Set up a compost bin in your kitchen to collect leftover scraps, such as eggshells, coffee grounds, and fruits and vegetables. These scraps will then become nutrient-dense soil for plants and your at-home garden.

   
   

5. Become a Waste Not Volunteer

   Without the community's support and Waste Not’s volunteers, our mission of reducing food waste and fighting food insecurity would be difficult to accomplish. If you are looking for more ways to make a difference, consider becoming a Waste Not Volunteer Driver!

   
   

   As a driver, you are responsible for picking up surplus food donations—coordinated through the MealConnect app—and delivering the order to one of our local partner food pantries. Unlike volunteering at other places, you can create a flexible schedule and volunteer on your own time. To sign up, fill out our Volunteer Driver Interest Form.

   
   

   

   
   

   This Earth Day, help us be part of the solution, not the problem. Addressing food insecurity and protecting the environment may seem daunting for one person to solve. However, if we do our part, we can feed more people and improve the planet.

   If you want to contribute to Waste Not’s mission and learn more about living more sustainably, follow us on social media @wastenotaz.