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…
The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) recently posted a guest blog about green electronics. This post was written by an E-waste processor, Electronics Recyclers International (ERI), that has a recycling facility in Holliston, MA. The dramatic worldwide increase in electronics has brought a lot of attention to discarded smart phones, laptops, and computers as an environmental issue. Unwanted…
A recent article in BioCycle outlines a report on options for commercial generators to manage organics on-site. This report was created by Tetra Tech Inc. as a guide to help businesses comply with Vancouver’s organics disposal ban which took effect July 1, 2015. The analysis covers everything from conventional storage through anaerobic digestion. The report…
This article from USA Today highlights the recent announcement of the USDA’s goal to reduce food waste 50% by 2030. The article includes perspective from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and notes that the effort has the support of a range of grocers and food-service companies. RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts assists businesses and institutions with recycling and food waste reduction…
This article from NPR describes how the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set a target to reduce wasted food in the United States fifty percent by 2030. The article describes the negative impacts of wasted food, including increased food costs, wasted fuel, and increased methane gas emissions, while providing a menu of options for…
Supermarkets that bale rigid plastics – such as deli containers, floral buckets, and pharmacy bottles – can generate significant revenue. The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) recently created a training video to help grocery stores start baling rigid plastic containers. The APR case study of several methods of disposing of rigid plastics found that…
This summer, RecyclingWorks staff helped the Wilco Solid Sound Festival establish a compost and recycling collection program. Every two years the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) hosts this music and arts festival. The event draws over 8,000 visitors and has more than a dozen food and drink vendors. Over the course of this…
The MetroWest Daily News reports that Framingham State recently became Food Recovery Certified. This certification recognizes business that donate surplus food to non-profit food recovery organizations. Framingham State is the second entity in Massachusetts to attain this certification. Their surplus food is delivered to Pathways Family Shelter and Pearl Street Shelter. Food Recovery Certified businesses…
