WASTE

Waste (solid, organic, industrial, energy) contributes directly and indirectly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and resource depletion. Eliminating or significantly reducing waste across sectors can lower emissions, conserve resources, and create resilient systems that mitigate climate change. We outline below how different types of waste drive climate impacts, strategies to eliminate them, co-benefits, challenges, and policy recommendations.

HOW MUCH FOOD DO WE WASTE?

It is estimated that 40% of all the food produced in the U.S. is wasted. If that food were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind the United States and China. If it were brought down to zero, as much as 11% of greenhouse gas emissions could be eliminated.

The best way to prevent waste may be to stop surpluses from occurring in the first place. That begins when you scrape less off your plate. 

• We could reduce the deforestation involved to provide acreage for animals to graze and crops to grow to feed those animals. 
• We could reduce the energy needed to heat, cool, water and care for them.
• In so doing, we would reduce the labor, the transport and the packaging.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

Food waste now accounts for more than one quarter of the total freshwater consumption and approximately 300 million barrels of oil per year.

As we bring food waste to rot in landfills, it is producing substantial quantities of methane – a gas with 25 fold more potent global warming potential than CO₂. 

HOW WASTE DRIVES CLIMATE CHANGE?

• Organic decomposition in landfills produces methane(CH4), a potent GHG with ~28 to 34 times the global warming potential of CO2. Biodegradable municipal waste is a major methane source globally.
• Energy-intensive manufacturing and improper disposal/release of industrial waste can emit CO2 and other pollutants
• Inefficient appliances, buildings, and industrial processes consume additional fossil fuels, increasing CO2 emissions.
• Producing virgin materials (steel, cement, plastics) is carbon-intensive; discarding and replacing  materials rather than reusing or recycling increases cumulative emissions.

STRATEGIES TO REDUCE WASTE 

• Design products and processes to use fewer materials and energy (eco-design), extend product lifetimes, and avoid overproduction. Circular design reduces demand for virgin materials.
• Promote reuse systems (refurbished electronics, second‑hand markets) and repair services to extend product life and avoid new production emissions.
• Improve collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure; prioritize high‑value recycling (metals, glass, certain plastics) to displace virgin production emissions.
• Divert organic waste from landfills to composting or anaerobic digestion to reduce methane and recover biogas as renewable energy and compost as soil amendment.
• Improve building, transport and industrial efficiency; electrify end uses and decarbonize electricity supply to reduce fossil fuel waste.
• Reduce food loss during harvest/transport, improve storage, and change consumption patterns to reduce waste and emissions.
• Use data to match supply with demand, reduce overstocking, optimize logistics, and minimize unnecessary transport.

CONCLUSION

Eliminating or drastically reducing waste across all forms is a powerful climate mitigation strategy that also yields economic, health and resource benefits. Achieving this requires systemic change – redesigning products and supply chains, strengthening policy frameworks, investing in infrastructure, and shifting consumer and business behavior toward circular models. Coordinated action at local, national, and global levels can unlock substantial emissions reductions and advance sustainable development.

On an individual level, it means cleaning your plate and only buying what you actually need.