Have you ever thought about how your local food choices impact the environment? Unsurprisingly, this isn’t something that a lot of people take into consideration. While every region is unique when it comes to food (and the culture and tradition surrounding food), many of us take food for granted.

Certain dietary habits, however, can affect your health – as well as the health of the planet. In this article, we’ll be discussing local dietary impact on the environment, the role that industrial wastewater plays, how to eat a diet that doesn’t cause unnecessary environmental stress, and more.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How Your Food Choices Affect the Environment
Naturally, different types of food require different types and amounts of resources to produce, grow, and transport. Growing certain crops, for example, may require a lot of land, water, and energy. Others may leave a smaller environmental footprint, which is, of course, ideal.
A diet that’s heavy in red meat tends to leave a much larger environmental impact in comparison to a diet that’s mostly composed of vegetables and grains. Livestock (like cows) require huge amounts of land and water. They also produce methane – a greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming.
Of course, not all plant-based foods are created equal. Some crops, like avocados, require a whole lot of water to grow.
So, while switching to a more plant-based diet is generally a good idea, you’ll have to think carefully about local conditions – like climate and water availability.
Why Proper Wastewater Management is Important
Food production affects water a lot more than you might think. One of the lesser-known ways that our food choices affect the environment is through wastewater. The food industry generates a huge amount of wastewater through farming and processing food. This is why proper wastewater management for the food industry is so important.
Wastewater from farming and manufacturing food can contain harmful substances – like chemicals, fats, and oils that, if not properly treated, can pollute rivers and oceans.
For example, if a factory produces a lot of meat or dairy products, it should manage its wastewater carefully. Otherwise, it could harm local ecosystems or even affect drinking water.

Environmental Benefits of Eating a Local Diet
Local farming is significantly more eco-friendly in comparison to conventional, large-scale farming – so support your local farmers by choosing to eat locally!
Another benefit of eating locally is that it cuts down on transportation-related pollution since the food doesn’t have to travel long distances.
Local farms also tend to use more sustainable (organic) farming methods (such as avoiding the use of harmful chemicals and managing the land in a way that’s better for nature).
Perhaps it goes without saying that these sustainable practices lead to less pollution of both soil and water.
Conclusion
Clearly, what we choose to eat makes a difference. Your diet probably has more of an impact on the environment than you think it does, and you’re not the only one.
Now that you know more about the impact of certain food choices, though, you should be able to make more informed decisions when it comes to food.
Updated: October 7, 2024 by Michael Kahn