Food Waste Recovery Hierarchy - EPA

Similar to its solid waste management hierarchy (e.g., source reduction and reuse, recycling and composting, disposal), EPA has suggested a food waste recovery hierarchy to show how productive use can be made of excess food. The food waste recovery hierarchy comprises the following activities, with disposal as the final option:

* Source Reduction – Reduce the volume of food waste generated
* Feed People – Donate extra food to food banks, soup kitchens and shelters
* Feed Animals – Provide food to farmers
* Industrial Uses – Provide fats for rendering and food discards for animal feed production
* Composting – Convert food scraps into a nutrient rich soil amendment

Source: EPA