The Moonshot Podcast Episode 6: Trash to Treasure
Apr 14, 2025
Join Emily Ma, a former mechanical engineer at Alphabet's moonshot factory, and Rey Banatao, a leader in innovative recycling solutions, as they tackle the huge issues of food and plastic waste. They explore an air traffic control system for surplus food and discuss advanced technology's role in revolutionizing waste management. The conversation highlights the staggering impacts of waste on our economy and environment, emphasizing transformative community efforts and the potential of digital solutions to combat food insecurity.
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US Food Waste Impact
- 40% of food in the US is wasted, costing households $1,500 annually.
- Reducing food waste lowers environmental impact and methane emissions from landfills.
Dana’s Surplus Food Control
- Dana Yost managed surplus food at the US-Mexico border, preventing waste by allocating excess produce.
- Truck drivers often dump food due to lack of efficient redistribution.
Standardizing Food Language
- Standardizing food description terminology enables efficient surplus food redistribution.
- Varied regional names for same items complicate communication in food systems.