WABI TV5 reports on a new food waste depackaging and anaerobic digestion system operated by Agri-Cycle Energy and Exeter Agri-Energy in Exceter, Maine. The depackaging machine helps divert packaged food waste from landfills. Packaged food is fed into a large drum that breaks up the packaging. The food waste is then fed into 400-thousand-gallon anaerobic…
The EPA recently upgraded the Food Recovery Challenge (FRC) website. Any business or organization can join the FRC as a participant or endorser. Participants help prevent food waste by setting and tracking food waste reduction goals that follow the EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy. Endorsers help educate organizations and businesses about the environmental costs of food…
The Barnstable Patriot reported on a recent food waste workshop for Cape Code health officials, waste haulers, composters, businesses, and institutions. The session, led by RecyclingWorks staff Heather Billings, focused on strategies for navigating the Massachusetts Commercial Organics Waste Ban. The ban, which applies to businesses that generate one ton or more of food waste…
Wicked Local Framingham reported in September on Framingham State University’s food donation program. Meghan Skeehan, a graduate student in food and nutrition, founded a Food Recovery Network chapter at the school in 2013. The university has since donated about 2,500 pounds of food from the dining hall to local homeless shelters and food pantries. Most…
Gould Farm is a residential community nestled in the Berkshires that promotes recovery for people with mental health and related challenges through meaningful work, community living, and clinical care. The farm recently received Compost Site Technical Assistance from RecyclingWorks to help in manage their manure and food scraps. RecyclingWorks provided onsite assistance to assess their current composting…
A recent article in the telegram.com spotlights food donation programs at College of the Holy Cross, Becker College, Nichols College, and Framingham State University. These colleges have joined the Food Recovery Network. This national organization that helps recover perishable food from colleges for donation to people in need. Each school now donates some of the…
A recent article in MetroWest Daily News describes how the Massachusetts Commercial Organics Waste Ban has the potential to help address the problem of food insecurity in the state. The article is written by the CEO, David B. Waters, of Community Servings. Waters’ organization transforms what many consider “food waste” into meals for people homebound by…
Masslive reports that Valley Zero Waste, a volunteer-run group, is hosting a contest to design a window decal for restaurants that divert food scraps for composting. The announcement of this contest coincides with the one year anniversary of the Massachusetts Commercial Organics Waste Ban. The window decals are intended to help encourage smaller restaurants, which…
LeanPath released a free e-guide that compiles both well-known and creative tips for cutting waste in foodservice operations. These include menu planning strategies that reuse leftovers, preparation techniques that reduce spoilage, and methods for appropriately sizing batches to service volume. The ideas in this guide can save commercial kitchens money while also protecting the environment.…
MassRecycle has partnered with MBTA, the Massachusetts Beverage Association, and Cassella Recycling to pilot a recycling collection program at Alewife Station. This pilot program is part of an effort to increase recycling in public spaces. This pilot program will be evaluated to help inform how to successfully expand recycling collection to other stations in the…
