The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has announced a $100,000 dollar grant to tackle food waste. EGLE said the grant is in alignment with goals in the MI Healthy Climate Plan, to help reduce food waste and carbon emissions.
Each year, Michigan disposes of more than one million tons of food waste through its municipal waste stream, according to EGLE. The agency said “food waste is the largest source of material disposed of in the state’s landfills and waste-to-energy facilities.”
The MI Healthy Climate Plan is the state’s road map to a carbon neutral economy by 2050. EGLE will work with several non-profit organizations in the state, along with an advisory council and national experts, to develop a Michigan Food System Waste Reduction Road Map.
Danielle Todd is the executive director of Make Food Not Waste, an environmental non-profit based in Detroit.
“When we landfill food, it breaks down and produces methane, which is one of the most harmful greenhouse gasses,” said Todd. “When we talk about the importance of acting on climate, and doing something as quickly as possible with solutions that we can implement right now, food waste is at the very top of that list.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 30 to 40% of Michigan’s food supply is lost to waste. Todd said this is also a waste of natural resources.
Source: michiganradio.org
Photo Credit: gettyimages-chrisboswell
Categories: Michigan, Business