Picture this: A farmer rises before dawn to tend their fields; nurturing crops that take months of care, water, and resources to flourish. After harvesting, those crops are transported across vast distances, stored in warehouses, displayed in grocery aisles, and carefully prepared in our kitchens—only to be left uneaten, forgotten in the back of the fridge, and eventually tossed in the trash.
We might not think twice about throwing away a half-used bag of wilted spinach, scraping leftovers into the trash, or forgetting about the yogurt pushed to the back of the fridge. But every time we waste food, we also waste the energy, water, and land used to produce it.
And when food waste ends up in landfill, it doesn’t just disappear, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. In fact, food waste generates more emissions than the entire aviation industry—almost five times as much.
Yet, when we talk about climate change, food waste is rarely at the forefront. We focus on cars, factories, and energy grids, overlooking the staggering environmental impact of the food we throw away. This is a problem.
But here’s the good news: tackling food waste is one of the most powerful climate actions we can take to have an immediate impact.
Organic waste in Whistler
Whistler is fortunate to have a closed-loop composting system, where food waste collected from households is transformed into nutrient-rich compost that supports local agriculture.
Yet, despite this system, nearly 26 per cent of Whistler’s compostable organic waste still ends up in landfill.
Even more concerning, 20 per cent of household food waste is entirely avoidable; perfectly good food that is never eaten. We’re talking about untouched leftovers, over-purchased groceries, and fresh produce that spoiled before it could be enjoyed. This isn’t just scraps; it’s food that could have nourished families or been put to better use.
The reality is we have a tremendous opportunity to do better. By making small, thoughtful changes in our kitchens, businesses, and communities, we can cut waste, lower emissions, and save money—all while making the most of the food we have. It’s time we reconsider how we approach our food consumption.
Small Steps, Big Difference
The Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) is on a mission to make those changes easy. Through our new From Waste to Action: Zero Waste Campaign, we aim to divert five per cent of Whistler’s organic waste from landfill by the end of the year.
Food waste isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s hitting our wallets, too. The average Canadian household throws away $1,300 worth of food each year, often due to overbuying, improper storage, or forgetting leftovers.
From Waste to Action will help you save money and waste less by making grocery planning easier, storing food properly, and getting creative with leftovers. Plus, you’ll have access to FREE workshops, composting guides, kitchen caddies, and compostable bag liners to make reducing waste effortless at home.
Reduce your cost of running a business
Food waste is more than just a problem for households; it’s a major issue for businesses, too. In British Columbia, food retailers and service industries lose an estimated $1.3 billion annually due to inefficiencies in planning, purchasing, storage, and preparation.
In Whistler alone, 12.5 per cent of food discarded by businesses is still perfectly edible—food that could have been consumed, donated, or discounted. Even more concerning, nearly a third of this waste could have been composted instead of ending up in a landfill.
To address this, AWARE is offering free one-on-one training, customized action plans, and waste audits to help Whistler’s restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores reduce food waste, cut costs, and meet the requirements of the Solid Waste Bylaw’s organic waste separation mandate. It’s a win-win: less waste, more savings, and a positive impact on the environment.
How you can get involved
We all have a role to play in reducing food waste. Whether you’re a resident looking for waste-cutting tips and community events or a business wanting to reduce costs and stay compliant, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Join us in building a waste-free Whistler. Find out how you can take action today at awarewhistler.org/blog. Surely, we can do better than the aviation industry.
AWARE works with the community to deliver bold, inspiring evidence-based solutions to the environmental issues that affect Whistler. Read more at awarewhistler.org.
