Food waste constitutes a significant portion of all commercial waste going to landfill or incineration; however, food waste diversion in Massachusetts is on the rise. Encouraged by the expanding food waste infrastructure and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Organics Waste Disposal Ban, businesses around the state have continued to join the effort and divert their own food waste from disposal. Many businesses and institutions that generate food waste are taking advantage of the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment and recognizing the potential reduction in trash disposal costs when diverting food waste.

To measure the growth in the food waste diversion marketplace, RecyclingWorks has been collecting data directly from organics haulers on the number of commercial organics customers in Massachusetts each year. From 2014 to 2018, the number of commercial organics customers in Massachusetts increased from approximately 1,350 to 2,300. This represents a 70% increase, or 950 additional businesses and institutions. Organics haulers are able to take advantage of the growing number of compost sites, anaerobic digesters, and depackaging facilities across the state that serve as alternative processing sites for commercial food waste.

Since the implementation of the Commercial Food Waste Disposal Ban in 2014, the MassDEP has encouraged this growth, by investing in food waste diversion infrastructure across the state and establishing the RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) program to help businesses and institutions maximize waste diversion.

RecyclingWorks provides free recycling and food waste diversion technical assistance to Massachusetts businesses and institutions. The RecyclingWorks Find-A-Recycler tool, allows users to search for local haulers and recycling businesses across Massachusetts. To speak to a recycling and food waste diversion expert, call our hotline: (888) 254-5525 or email us at info@recyclingworksma.com.