Up to 30-40% of edible food in the U.S. is thrown away instead of consumed and when food ends up in the landfill, it can produce methane which is a potent greenhouse gas, further negatively impacting our climate. College campuses across the nation generate 22 million pounds of food waste every year. As a leader in sustainability among higher education institutions in Florida, the University of South Florida has an obligation to the campus and the community to reduce the amount of food that gets thrown away across its three campuses and many dining halls in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota.

While there have been student-led projects and groups like the Food Recovery Club, there are no policies or university direction on ensuring that food must be recovered or diverted from the landfill. We ask that you sign on to support our ask to the University of South Florida for:

1. Formal commitment to reduce food waste across our campuses
2. Regular assessment of food waste generated and the impact on greenhouse gas emissions, and
3. An action plan on campus food waste diversion from the landfill.

We ask for the University of South Florida to pledge its commitment to environmental sustainability and the efforts to become a zero-waste campus. Please support!