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Creating healthy urban environments for all Jill Simmons, Director
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Climate Protection
Energy
Green Building
Transportation
Food
Grow and Eat
Healthy Food for All
Environment and Waste
Collaborate
Strengthen the Local Economy
Policies and Plans
Waste and Toxics Reduction
Water and Urban Trees
Learn and Lower Your Impact
Your Greener Government
Community Connections
Plans and Documents


Environment and Waste

Every aspect of food – from start to finish – impacts the environment. Growing, processing, distributing, selling, preparing, eating, and discarding food, involves water, land, fertilizers, transportation, packaging, and more.

In the U.S., produce travels an average of 1,300-2,000 miles from farm to table. That’s a long trip! A local food system can reduce food miles and transportation costs, keep money in the local economy, and offer fresher food. By increasing opportunities for growing and selling food in the city, we can reduce our impact.

Minimizing food waste provides another opportunity. We can do this through better meal planning, starting a compost pile at home, or using food waste recycling bins. These types of actions mean that less food goes into landfills, meaning less food wasted and less greenhouse gas emissions.

Composting at home

Food and Yard Waste Collection at Your House

Food and Yard Waste Collection at Your Apartment or Condo

Natural garden care

Zero Waste Strategy (Council resolution)

Food Service Packaging Requirement

SPU Food Recovery Program (PDF report)

Seattle's Table (Food Lifeline - for businesses to donate food)

Love Food, Hate Waste campaign (UK)

 


 

 

Icon photo by Elaine Faith.