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This Week: Two Panels Highlight How Reducing Waste Benefits Climate

  • Writer: Bob Benenson
    Bob Benenson
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read


The first-ever Chicago Climate Week continues through Saturday. For your planning purposes, there are two important events focused on food waste and its impact on climate: The first item below is a new addition to Local Food Forum, followed by a reminder of the second.


There are many other programs planned for Chicago Climate Week. Click here to learn more about the long list of events across Chicago.





Too Good to Waste: Solutions for Organic Waste

Presented by Illinois Environment Council


Wednesday, July 23

3 p.m.-4 p.m.

Online


From the organizers:


Organic waste is a major problem, but luckily, there are a ton of solutions! Join us for this webinar featuring industry experts from across the curbside composting, organics processing, and landfill sectors.


Panelists will answer questions about the importance of organics diversion and composting systems while highlighting their roles in reducing waste and supporting more sustainable materials management. This discussion will also explore policy pathways the City of Chicago can pursue to expand and strengthen composting systems at scale.


Featured organizations will include Block Bins, Urban Canopy, WasteNot Compost, Green Era, and Full Circle Future.




More than a third of all food produced for human consumption goes to waste, with some estimates for the United States at around 40 percent. And wasted food, which often goes into landfills to decay, is responsible for an estimated 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.


To improve public understanding of this crucial issue, and gain insights from attendees, the Chicago region's Wasted Food Action Alliance is convening experts from six of its member organizations for an event next Thursday (July 23) in Chicago's West Loop. Titled "What's Wasted Food Got to Do With Climate?," the discussion will take place at Haymarket Brewery, 737 W. Randolph, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.


Click the button to register for free (or use the QR code in the graphic above), then scroll down to get event details.



In answer to the question in the title, the organizers write, "Come find out—and tell us what YOU want to change. Join us for a lively conversation with local leaders working to prevent food waste and rescue surplus before it reaches the landfill. Bring your questions, stories, and ideas. This is a dialogue, not a lecture — and we want to hear from you!"


The speakers are:


  • ​Weslynne Ashton, Illinois Tech Food Systems Lab

  • ​Tracy Cammack, The Paramount Group and Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition

  • ​Jennifer Dowd, Seven Generations Ahead and Wasted Food Action Alliance

  • ​Stephanie Katsaros, Bright Beat and Chicago Sustainability Task Force

  • ​Alex Poltarek, The Urban Canopy

  • ​Kayla White, Salesforce


The discussion will illuminate major sources of food waste and how these are being or can be addressed.



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