Since 2014, when the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) enacted the Commercial Food Material Disposal Ban, businesses and institutions across the state have increasingly started diverting food waste. While food waste diversion leads to significant environmental benefits, it also has potential to provide cost savings for businesses, and opens up opportunities to address customer…
The supermarket industry in Massachusetts has long been a leader in diverting wasted food from disposal. Recent media coverage highlights successful food recovery efforts conducted by three grocery chains with locations in Massachusetts: Hannaford Supermarkets, Stop & Shop and Whole Foods Market. These grocery retailers, as well as many others, employ strategies across the EPA…
In April this year, Boston University announced its new Zero Waste Plan. Named “Reimagining Waste as a Resource,” the institution has big plans for shifting mentalities in the Boston University community around waste, and eliminating wasteful practices throughout material life cycles. The ambitious plan aims to reuse or recycle at least 90% of the institution’s…
The Newton-based electric bicycle (e-bike) business Watt Wagons is best known for setting a Guinness World Record in 2019 for their electric bike that rode 400 miles in 24 hours using less than one dollar of electricity. Watt Wagons assembles personalized e-bikes for sport and commuting, with a strong focus on environmental stewardship. The company…
Although not accepted in typical residential or commercial single stream recycling programs in Massachusetts, plastic beer can toppers are often labeled with a recycling symbol that can be misleading for beer drinkers in the state. While some companies collect and reuse these can toppers, the reuse and recycling infrastructure for this material is still nascent.…
Widespread changes in consumer dining and purchasing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic shifted food waste generation from business sectors like catering, restaurants, and institutional cafeterias to homes, impacting composting operations across the state. As described by The Vineyard Gazette, the Martha’s Vineyard Food Waste Recovery Initiative is one of many programs that experienced a reduction…
Boat wrap addresses the need to protect valuable marine equipment through harsh winter weather, but what happens to this material after the spring unveiling? While boat shrink wrap cannot go in single stream recycling, options exist for marinas, boat yards, and yacht clubs to recycle this high-quality plastic material. Recycled wrap is typically made into…
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mount Holyoke College effectively adjusted their operations and used data tracking tools to prevent food waste. Between August 2020 and January 2021, the institution cut the food waste generated on campus by 49% by weight. As described by Leanpath, the private liberal arts college in western Massachusetts adapted to a number…
According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, there are more than 400 supermarkets in Massachusetts that are likely subject to the Commercial Organics Waste Ban. There are plenty of cost-effective ways that supermarkets and other food businesses can comply with the ban by reducing or diverting food waste. In a recently published article, Waste…
Homeowners Rehab Incorporated (HRI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that produces and preserves affordable housing throughout Massachusetts. In 2017, HRI purchased Matheson Apartments in Downtown Worcester with plans to transform the 60,000 square foot 70-unit complex into efficient, accessible, and affordable housing. Prior to starting renovations, RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) and Linnean Solutions helped HRI…
