Waste Strategies

The Memphis Food Waste Project will work to prevent food waste, improve food recovery system(s), increase public awareness, and expand composting efforts. Wasted food means wasted water, labor, energy, time, and money. In December of 2020, Mayor Strickland issued a proclamation that commits the City of Memphis to work to develop a more sustainable approach to food systems, improve food access and raise awareness to encourage better food waste practices. This will align Memphis with national goals of reducing food waste by 50% by 2030. “Memphis is dedicated to investing in our neighborhoods with innovative solutions. We are excited to see this community-led partnership with Clean Memphis flourish as this project takes off,” said Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland. Check out the proclamation here . The Memphis Food Waste Project has also put together several resources to raise awareness and share information on food waste strategies with everyone in our community. Take the Food Waste Quiz and test your knowledge of food waste and changes you can make to reduce waste in your home. Also, take the pledge to become a Food Waste Warrior and be part of the solution to food waste in our community! For Earth Month (April 2021), the Office of Sustainability and Resilience and the City of Memphis Solid Waste Management Division collaborated to send out weekly messages to the City of Memphis employees with information on food waste impacts and resources for reducing food waste at home. You can check out the newsletter series below. Most of the information was adapted from www.savethefood.com, so be sure to check that site out as well!

• Week 1 – Shopping and Meal Prep

• Week 2 – Food Storage

• Week 3 – Leftovers and Soon-to-Expire Foods

• Week 4 – Food Composting