Canada’s Environment and Climate Change ministry has created a research fund to support local government projects that will help prevent and divert food waste from landfills.
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced the $570,000 fund last week on International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.
“The methane generated in landfills today is the result of decades of disposal of organic waste. Today [Sept. 29] is the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, and we are taking action to help prevent and divert organic waste, as it is the most effective means for reducing landfill methane emissions,” Guilbeault said in a news release.
Canada has set a national waste reduction goal of 30 per cent by 2030, and 50 per cent by 2040, and is one of more than 150 countries that have signed the Global Methane Pledge.
Municipal landfills represent about 23 per cent of Canada’s methane emissions, with oil and gas contributing 38 per cent, and agriculture 30 per cent.
Fund applications are open until the end of the month.