Madison Reporter

The Madison Common Council adopted a resolution to reduce food waste, noting the Dane County landfill only has 10 more years of usable space that shouldn’t be consumed by food that could have been eaten.

Supported by the Sustainable Madison Committee and the Madison Food Policy, the resolution sets a waste diversion goal of 50% from the landfill by 2030. The goal parallels the United States and United Nations Sustainable Development vision of 50% reduction in food waste by 2030. 

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway tweeted her support of the resolution. “#DidYouKnow that the @CityofMadison has a 'food waste diversion goal of 50% from the landfill by 2030?' The @NRDC highlighted the city’s efforts to address #FoodWaste in their recent blog post! Check it out!”

Madison also plans to educate the public on food waste reduction and landfill diversion alternatives. The residential sector contributes 40% of the city’s food waste, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. A messaging campaign aimed at consumers stresses four themes: Plan, use, create and scrap. Plan what you purchase, use what you have, creatively utilize leftovers and compost what’s not eaten.

The city also has plans to work with local restaurants and the city’s health department officials on food waste reduction.