In collaboration with the non-profit Make Food Not Waste, new surveys will gather input on food waste from community members and businesses to gauge interest in food composting

 

The City of Farmington Hills is collaborating with Make Food Not Waste, a Detroit-based nonprofit that works to help Michiganders waste less food, to create a blueprint for reducing food waste in Farmington Hills. Today the City and Make Food Not Waste are launching two surveys to collect feedback from community members and local businesses to better understand the level of awareness and knowledge about the issue of food waste, learn more about how residents and businesses currently handle food waste, and explore community interest in a future composting program. Both surveys are open through Friday, July 25.

 

All Farmington Hills community members are encouraged to complete the resident-focused survey. Food and beverage businesses are encouraged to participate in the business-focused survey. Responses will help support the City as it works to shape the next steps in its blueprint to zero food waste.

 

“Food waste has significant environmental and economic impacts, which is why this project is an exciting next step in the City’s sustainability journey,” said Jacob Rushlow, director of the City of Farmington Hills Public Services Department, which oversees collection of trash, recycling and yard waste in the City. “Reducing food waste is one thing we can do as a community to lower our greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment for future generations in Farmington Hills.”

 

Food waste is any food that is grown and produced for humans but is not eaten, including uneaten leftovers, spoiled food, or food scraps, such as peels and rinds, that are inedible. According to the national data nonprofit ReFED, Michigan wastes more than 2 billion pounds of food each year, significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Households are the largest food waste generators and spend an average of $759 per person each year on food that they buy, but don't eat.

 

Considering these statistics, reducing food waste has been identified as a solution to slow climate change. The State of Michigan has a goal to cut food waste in half by 2030, as part of the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The City of Farmington Hills also has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2050.

 

Because southeast Michigan is the most populated region in the state, a majority of the

state’s food waste is created in this area. Farmington Hills is among several cities in the
region, including Southfield, Livonia and Dearborn, that are working with Make Food Not

Waste to create a plan to eliminate food waste from landfills. The 15 largest cities in southeast Michigan generate 750 million pounds of food waste each year. Keeping all of the food waste in those communities out of landfills would reduce the state's food waste by 38%.

 

The next step in this process is collecting feedback through the community survey and business survey, which are available through July 25. For more information, visit www.fhgov.com or call the Department of Public Services at 248-871-2530 and follow the City of Farmington Hills on social media.

 

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