The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced on Apr. 24 that food waste in the state’s municipal solid waste stream declined by 14 percent between 2017 and 2022, according to its latest progress report. This update comes as part of Earth Week and reflects efforts under the Food Waste Reduction Act of 2017, which aims to cut food waste generation by half by the year 2030.
Reducing food waste is seen as important for both environmental protection and addressing hunger across communities. The report notes that while overall solid waste generation in New Jersey dropped only slightly—by about 0.6 percent—food waste fell from approximately 1.5 million tons in 2017 to about 1.3 million tons in 2022.
The percentage of food waste was determined through a Rutgers University audit funded by a DEP grant. The state credits this progress to prevention strategies, increased food donations, and composting programs. “The considerable reduction in food waste is a strong indication of the work all of us – whether at home, at work, or in our schools and other institutions – are doing to ensure that food is not wasted and gets to people who really need it,” said acting DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak.
To support these goals, New Jersey has launched an online toolkit with resources for reducing food waste; implemented an interactive map connecting donors with recipients; provided grants for local planning and higher education institutions; developed school guidelines; collaborated with the Office of Food Security Advocate; and funded initiatives like Share My Meals Inc.’s Meal Recovery Coalition.
Agriculture Secretary Ed Wengryn said the farming sector plays a unique role: “Initiatives such as gleaning, whether from farm crops or supermarket surplus, supply food banks with fresh fruits and vegetables… Improved nutrition standards in school meals… are ways we reduce food waste on the front end.” Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin added: “With the goal of ending hunger by 2030 at the forefront of our efforts, the Legislature has had more than 40 bills on food insecurity signed into law…”
Environmental concerns also drive these efforts. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discarded food is now the largest single category entering municipal landfills nationwide where it produces methane—a greenhouse gas linked to climate change.
