Where the food fallsFood waste accounts for 14.1 percent of the American waste stream, second to paper and cardboard, which is 28.2 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Third is yard waste at 13.7 percent and fourth is plastics at 12.3 percent.Of the more than 17 million tons in annual U.S. food waste, only 3 percent is recycled.When food goes to landfills, it creates methane, a greenhouse gas that is more potent and troublesome than carbon dioxide.Ohio produces 1 million tons of food waste a year, which breaks down to 474 pounds valued at $2,275 per typical household, according to spokeswoman Linda Oros of the Ohio EPA.In 2010, nearly 32,000 tons of food wastes was composted in Ohio, mostly from grocery stores, food processors, hospitals and other large food users, Oros said.Most recycling is arranged between individual producers and haulers, and Ohio has only five small curbside programs for food wastes. she said. Food waste is picked up with yard wastes in Huron, Luckey, Fairborn, West Milton and Miami Township and is composted, she said.— Bob Downing