Instead of throwing away unused, food, consider donating it to a nearby food bank or homeless shelter. Contact the Greater Chicago Food Depository at 773-843-2847 for more information on food donation. Also visit Rock and Wrap it Up for information about their food donation program, which works with sports teams to help feed the hungry in their community with clubhouse and stadium food recovery.
When food is delivered to a landfill, it decomposes and contributes to the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. By donating food you reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills, thus reducing these emissions. Donating leftover food also reduces the need for additional food production, thereby reducing the environmental impacts associated with agriculture, including water pollution and habitat destruction. Beyond these ecological benefits, donating food is socially beneficial by providing to the hungry.
EPA – Strategies for Record Setting Waste Reduction