protect the environment


Close to 40% of the food produced in the United States ends up in the landfill or rotting in fields and orchards. Beyond the shameful waste, damage is done to our climate by rotting food.

When food decomposes, methane gas is produced. Methane is especially damaging to our climate and air quality. By rescuing food, and composting what can’t be eaten, we reduce pollution and lessen the damage done by climate change. Everyone wins!

Adelante rescues food, composts food waste, and teaches others about the importance of keeping food waste out of the landfill.

Diagram showing the composition of garbage in a typical yard waste bag, with labeled sections indicating that yard trimmings make up 8%, wood waste 8%, paper 15%, food scraps 21%, and non-recyclable trash 15%, highlighting the environmental impact of landfill waste.
Sign instructing proper disposal of food and compostable waste, showing examples of acceptable and unacceptable items. Acceptable items include food scraps and compostable packaging, while unacceptable items include plastic bottles, glass bottles, metal cans, gloves, pet waste, and foam packaging. The sign emphasizes only food and compostable items should be in the green bin.
Return to Rescuing Food Page

Reduce Food Waste Project

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Enhancement Grant 2023

  • Shadows Kitchen Composting Pilot

    Our pilot explored the obstacles to diverting kitchen waste into an organics container for low-income apartment dwellers. We’ve been sharing the word about the importance of Kitchen Food Waste Disposal and learning from families how to make it work for them.

  • High School Club Outreach

    We shared information about the importance of keeping organics out of the landfill and distributed compost collection containers through High School Environmental Clubs and Latino Student Leadership Groups.

    The high school students we have met have provided unique insights into the challenges we face convincing households to keep food waste out of the landfill.

  • Kitchen Waste Container Distribution

    We used a City of Thousand Oaks Environmental Enhancement Grant to educate residents about the importance of keeping food waste out of the landfill. The project included supplying kitchen compost containers to households that are interested in participating.