This month, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) supported Food Waste Prevention week by urging consumers to make sustainable choices. The Department hosted a webinar and encouraged residents and businesses to support local food donation programs, compost, and shop and plan meals more effectively.
The state reports that food waste reduction is key to meeting its climate goals of cutting emissions 60% by 2031 and reaching net zero by 2045, and that food makes up about 19% of all waste disposed of in Maryland in 2024.
MDE has a food waste webpage that spotlights food scrap collection programs, statewide composting initiatives and reduction campaigns, and other documents and resources.
