The environmental impact of producing, packaging, transporting, storing, consuming and disposing of food is enormous. Food is the largest single source of waste in California, and the average food product travels 1,500 miles to reach our plates. Thus, it is important for everyone to pitch in when it comes to reducing food-related waste.
Americans waste more than 40% of the food we produce for consumption. Minimize the amount of food that is thrown out by your household or business.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/community-tips/reduce-food-waste-460708
http://www.livinggreener.gov.au/waste/kitchen-food-waste/minimise-food-waste
http://earthsky.org/food/top-10-tips-to-reduce-food-waste-during-the-holiday-season
http://www.unileverfoodsolutions.com.au/our-services/your-kitchen/work-smart/wise-up-on-waste.c_download_1?download=1
Compost leftover kitchen scraps at home or in your municipal green waste bin.
http://www.recyclenow.com/home_composting/
http://www.mastercomposter.com/
http://www.lacitysan.org/solid_resources/recycling/composting/index.htm
http://ladpw.org/epd/sg/bc_bins.cfm
http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2011/05/slimy-pets-to-eat-your-garbage-and-entertain-your-kids.html
Recycle leftover food packaging properly. Check with your local municipality for recycling guidelines.
http://www.lacitysan.org/solid_resources/recycling/curbside/what_is_recyclable.htm
http://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/rethinkla/recycle/recycle-bins-blue-what-goes-in.aspx
Purchase food with minimal packaging made of recycled materials. The zero-waste solution: fill your own reusable bags or containers with food from the bulk bins at your local health food store.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20110330/
http://www.reuseit.com/store/Produce+Bags-c-238_242.html
Bring your own durable, reusable shopping bag. Single-use plastic bags and flimsy ÒreusableÓ bags require non-renewable energy and resources to produce, and then they pollute waterways and clog landfills when weÕre done with them.
http://www.sustainableplastics.org/green-cities-california-report-single-use-and-reusable-grocery-bags
http://www.reuseit.com/learn-more/myth-busting/cheap-reusables-are-a-good-thing
http://www.ecologycenter.org/ptf/misconceptions.html
Pack waste-free lunches. Stop using disposable plates, utensils, napkins and sandwich bags, and bring your own refillable water bottle.
http://www.wastefreelunches.org/
http://greenreview.blogspot.com/2011/07/avoid-disposable-utensils-and-paper.html
http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/18-the-dirty-truth-about-plastic
Bring your own reusable containers to restaurants instead of using disposable take-out containers and foam trays.
http://www.chow.com/food-news/54736/bring-your-own-plastic-container/
Find fun and creative ways to reuse disposable food containers before you relegate them to the recycle bin.
http://www.plantea.com/milk-jug.htm
http://www.cultcase.com/2009/01/20-creative-ways-to-reuse-egg-cartons.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/190679-ways-to-reuse-soda-cans/
http://www.crookedbrains.net/2011/01/reuse-of-credit-card-newspaper-bottles.html
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_cheapskate/27/fun-ways-to-reuse-plastic-soda-bottles-and-save-money-too.html
http://www.filtersfast.com/articles/How-to-Reuse-Plastic-Water-Bottles.php
Save gas and money. Walk, bike or take public transportation to stores and restaurants. Combine your trips to the grocery store with other errands to reduce car trips, or carpool with a friend.
http://la-bike.org/
http://www.metro.net/
http://library.state.or.us/repository/2006/200608101422004/index.pdf
http://www.drivelesssavemore.com/pages/driving-resources