By Claire Conger

March 24, 2023

Trashcan Veganism!

It often feels like there’s no winning when it comes to food and the environment. Beef contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Almond milk uses a lot of water to create. PETA has accused Thai coconut milk to be a product of animal labor picking coconuts and deeming it “fair trade”[1]. Rather than rifling through your fridge and tossing every animal product and nare-do-well item, consider the mortal enemy of the environment: food waste. 

According to the Food and Drug Administration, 30-40% of the food supply in the United States is wasted.[2] This equates to 1.4 billion tons of food every year. Food is the single most significant component taking up space in US landfills. One of the biggest reasons for this food waste is misinterpreting expiration labels.  Attributing to 80% of food waste, this food is still consumable.[3]

Meanwhile, new food philosophies and lifestyles such as veganism are becoming more popular. Some people become vegan for animal protection, nutritional goals, or the environment. Products from the meat, eggs, and dairy industries, contribute to more than half of carbon emissions. In the US, where we consume three times more meat than the global average, veganism can help to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 73% says Food Unfolded in a 2020 article.[4] I acknowledge that’s a lot of statistics. But, with a lot of statistics comes an innovative solution: Trashcan veganism

Alex Frankel, a friend of mine from high school, coined the term “trashcan vegan” as his contribution to caring for the environment through eliminating animal products while being conscious of food waste. Frankel’s philosophy to trashcan veganism is that he only purchases vegan groceries, but if a friend made something with an animal product or if it was going to be thrown away he’d eat it. “I started with a stricter veganism but found I was passing up offers on food from friends that had milk or dairy. If the food was already made, like a batch of cookies, I just accepted that it's ok for me to eat it,” Frankel said. 

As someone who would be vegan for environmental purposes, this got me thinking: Is veganism beneficial to the environment if I am also contributing to food waste issues? At the same time, I’m a foodie at heart who will experience overwhelming FOMO by passing up an opportunity to taste a friend’s food rather than watch it go into the trash. To me, being a trashcan vegan sounds like a holistic approach to being environmentally conscious while also having moments to enjoy some non-vegan foods.

Food and how it’s enjoyed is different for everyone, but the joy in lifestyles such as trashcan veganism is that it can be tuned to however you see fit. Frankel keeps trashcan veganism true to his food philosophy by enjoying flexibility while steering clear of meat to honor his veganism. Similar mindsets can be found in “flexitarianism” where there is an emphasis on giving leeway for needs, desires, and fun. 

One of the worries that many face when transitioning to veganism or vegetarianism is losing some of the fun in food. However, in the age of TikTok and the growing vegan population, there is an ample supply of recipes and meal ideas to inspire vegan alternatives to everyday favorites. Overall, the most important thing is that being (or not being) a trashcan vegan, a vegan, or any other dietary preference, should be beneficial to what your body needs as nourishment, as well as finding enjoyment in food. Your well-being, the parameters of your religious practices, your lifestyle, and your happiness should all be prioritized. Trashcan veganism is not an effort to shut down any food practices but to suggest a flexible, environmentally friendly, and perhaps fun way to enjoy food. Listen to your body and what it needs. If you find true joy in being a vegan then pursue it. If it works out, you know you’re doing good for the environment while still being kind to yourself and your body.

1. Gibson, Kate. “Hellofresh Accused of Using Coconut Milk Obtained from Monkey Labor.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 15 Nov. 2022, https://www.cbsnews.com/tampa/news/hellofresh-monkeys-coconut-milk-peta-animal-abuse/. 

2. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Food Loss and Waste.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/food-loss-and-waste. 

3. “Food Waste in America in 2023: Statistics & Facts: RTS.” Recycle Track Systems, https://www.rts.com/resources/guides/food-waste-america/. 

4. “What Is the Real Environmental Impact of Beef Production?” FoodUnfolded, https://www.foodunfolded.com/article/can-beef-really-be-low-impact#:~:text=Beef%20production%20carries%20an%20enormous%20environmental%20footprint%2C%20contributing,loss%2C%20and%20even%20the%20degeneration%20of%20coral%20reef