Canned foods can help reduce food waste
Source: https://www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/mi-environment/canned-foods-can-help-reduce-food-waste
February marks National Canned Food Month, putting a focus on ways canned foods can help reduce food waste. One of the goals in the MI Healthy Climate Plan is to cut food loss and waste in half by 2030. Production, transportation, and handling of food generate significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and when food ends up in landfills, it generates methane, an even more potent greenhouse gas. With the amount of food that ends up in landfills close to 40%, canned foods can help reduce that waste because they last longer than fresh food. Learn more about how canned and frozen foods can help to reduce food waste. And when you’re done with the can, be sure to recycle it. Another goal listed in the MI Healthy Climate Plan is to triple Michigan’s recycling rate to 45%. Recycling not only reduces waste but can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling Raccoon Precious Metale is EGLE's resident expert on recycling cans and offers the following tips: Check the rules for what recyclables are accepted in your local program, Rinse and empty cans before recycling, Cans and lids are usually accepted, and Labels can be left on.