Save More Than Food - Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative

Did you know? Each year, Central Ohio residents waste 160,000 acres of land that are used to produce food that is never eaten. That’s roughly half the landmass of Franklin County.

Teaming Up to Reduce Food Waste

In Central Ohio, we are banding together behind a common goal: to cut our food waste in half by 2030. Learn about the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative and the action plan that will help us reach our goal.

About the Initiative

Did you know? Each resident in Central Ohio wastes more than 30 gallons of water a year on food that is produced but never eaten.

Making a Difference Starts with Knowing the Facts

In Central Ohio, about 15% of material entering the landfill is food. Across the nation, as much as 40% of food is wasted. Learn about food waste in Central Ohio and the money, environmental resources, and opportunity to feed hungry neighbors that are lost when food is wasted.

Know the Issue

Did you know? Every year, the average family of four wastes $1,500 on food that is purchased but never eaten.

How Well Do You Know Food Waste?

Take the “Save More Than Food” quiz to test your knowledge of food waste and how you can make a difference.

Take The Quiz

Did you know? When food is wasted in Central Ohio, all of the energy and fuel used to grow, harvest and transport it is lost.

Share the Campaign

We need your help to spread our food waste reduction message. The Save More Than Food Toolkit includes social media posts, flyers, presentation slides, brochures, media tactics and more to help you encourage others to join our food waste reduction work.

Share the Campaign

Did you know? For every meal missed by struggling neighbors in our community, three meals are sent to the landfill.

Take Action by Reducing Your Food Waste

Each of us has an important part to play in reaching 50% food waste reduction in Central Ohio. Get the information and tools that you need to take action at home, at school, at work, and in food businesses.

Make a Difference

Reduce Food Waste This Holiday Season

The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that during the holiday season, household food waste increases by over 25%. But you can make a difference with a quick tips and fun recipes to use up leftovers.

Roast and Eat Your Fall Pumpkins Small pumpkins are packed with flavor and can make for great pies, breads, stews, soups and more! Learn how to make a pumpkin puree to get you started!

Get the Recipe

Turkey Bone and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Use up those leftover turkey scraps, stuffing, veggies, and more with this “scrappy soup” recipe!

Get the Recipe

Compost Jack-O-Lanterns Keep those old pumpkins out of the landfill with backyard compost, a community drop-off location, or with local compost vendors.

Learn More

Thanksgiving Leftover Wontons Take your thanksgiving flavors in an all new direction with this wonton recipe that uses up leftover turkey, gravy, stuffing, and more!

Get the Recipe

SWACO and Rev1 Ventures Announce Partnership to Bring Food Waste Innovation to Columbus Region

In October 2020, Rev1 Ventures and SWACO announced a partnership to advance new technologies in food waste in the Central Ohio region. Technologies will address food waste reduction in manufacturing, commercial kitchens, retail, and residential spaces. Learn more about the partnership and connect in with the innovation work at the link below.

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We Can Make a Difference

Thank you for joining SWACO and the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative in keeping food out of the landfill and reclaiming it to be a resource for our community. With your help, we can cut Central Ohio food waste in half by 2030.

Get Involved

Learn What You Can Do to Help Reduce Food Waste

At Home For each Franklin County resident, 5 pounds of food are landfilled each week. Learn how you can help.

At Home

At Work From office compost, to zero waste catering and events, there are many small actions that workplaces can take to reduce food waste. Learn what you can do and get started.

At Work

At School Our schools can lead the way in teaching our youngest community members about reducing food waste. Find out how.

At School

Food Businesses As a food business, you work with food every day. Find out how you can save money and environmental resources while providing meals for your community by reducing food waste.

Food Businesses

Did you know? Save More Than Food was developed by 150+ partners in the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative who worked together to provide Central Ohio with tools to reduce food waste.

Make a Difference Central Ohio is Taking Action to Reduce Food Waste

Central Ohio landfills nearly 1 million pounds of food waste every single day. That’s why leaders from across Franklin County came together in 2019 to form the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative. Working together, over 150 partners in the initiative are reclaiming lost resources on a path to cutting Central Ohio food waste in half by 2030. Learn more about the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative and their 20-point action plan:

The Initiative The Action Plan

Food Waste in Central Ohio

Start Your Food Waste Reduction Journey With Save More Than Food

Take the Quiz: Take the “Save More Than Food” quiz to test your knowledge of food waste and how you can make a difference.

Take The Quiz

Share the Campaign Help to spread the food waste reduction message with Save More Than Food social media posts, flyers, presentation slides, and much more.

Share the Campaign

Make a Difference Find out what you can do at home, at work, at school, and in food businesses to reduce food waste.

Make a Difference

Did you know? Each Central Ohio resident wastes over 30 gallons of water a year that was used to grow food that is thrown away.

Spread the Word Join the Fight Against Food Waste

We want you on our team! Use Save More Than Food communications tools to engage your family, workplace, schools, and community in reducing food waste.

Share the Campaign

Did you know? Every Central Ohio resident wastes about $375 a year on food that's thrown away.

Test Your Knowledge Take the Quiz. Make a Difference.

Reducing food waste starts with a better understanding of the issues we face. Take our "Save More Than Food" quiz and test your food waste knowledge.

Take The Quiz