Download Chapter 4 of the Food Guide.

Reducing the amount of waste we produce is a core Jewish environmental value. Even though over-consumption and waste production are relatively recent environmental issues, Judaism has been tackling these problems since Talmudic times. The Jewish concept of Bal Tashchit prohibits us from being wasteful or unnecessarily destructive is based in a text from the Torah which urges us to consider our relationship to the natural world.

This section shares some innovative tips on reducing your food waste from the Teva Learning Alliance. And, when you’ve cut down all you can and still have leftover food, we cover the basics of composting: how it works, how to start your own pile or work with a facility in your area. Considering the entire food chain—not only what happens before the food gets to our plates, but what happens after it leaves, is a key component of shifting your institution towards sustainable food choices.

In this section:

• Reduce your food waste
• Compost
• Recycling

Download Chapter 4 of the Food Guide.