In observance of Food Waste Prevention Week, which runs through Sunday, April 7, the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency is encouraging residents to recycle and prevent food waste.
Americans discard over $218 billion of food waste every year, and there are several ways to avoid throwing out food, RICWMA said. Planning your purchase before you go to the grocery store will prevent overbuying foods you may not eat. Make sure that you are also storing your food properly, which prevents food spoilage.
Other ways to reduce food waste include donating to local food pantries and composting. There are tons of foods wasted that could be given to those who do not have access to healthy food options. Composting food scraps helps preserve valuable organic resources. This can be done in a garden in your backyard.
Earth Day is also around the corner on April 22. Remember how important your contributions are all through the month of April and the entire year.
For more information, residents may contact RICMWA at (309) 788-8925 or visit the website at www.ricwma.org.
