Food donation is the second highest priority on EPA’s food waste hierarchy, after source reduction. Check out the new RecyclingWorks Donate Food page to learn more about food donation programs, how to start one in your place of business, and to find a list of food banks and food rescue organizations in Massachusetts.
Northampton, MA, 11/20/13—Just a year after launching its food waste recycling program, Easthampton’s Big E’s Supermarket (www.bigessupermarket.com) has been recognized by the Springfield MRF Advisory Board as one of the region’s outstanding business recyclers of 2013. Big E’s store manager Michael Superson received the award at a ceremony in Holyoke on November 13, which is also…
As Massachusetts implements the first statewide Commercial Organics Waste Ban in the country, analysts and observers will be monitoring to see how the new legislation impacts commercial food providers and gauge its economic impact on the state. The implementation of new technologies such as Anaerobic Digesters will provide new opportunities for businesses to reduce their…
This year’s America Recycles Day, two Massachusetts colleges were honored by the EPA for their efforts to reduce food waste on campus. UMass Amherst and Clark University were part of only nine national winners of the EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge in 2013. Through such solutions as student-run composting programs and the use of anaerobic digesters,…
Building Collection Infrastructure for Composting: Success in the greater Worcester, Massachusetts area Join us for a Webinar on January 16th, 2014 Register Here. Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/535827538 The webinar will feature the project team that initiated the collection infrastructure to bring commercial hauling of source separated organics to a…
Retail Dining Operations: Opportunities for Source Reduction and Effective Materials Management Webinar, Thursday, December 12th, 2013 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Join the College & University Recycling Coalition for the last of their 2013 webinar series. Collecting food waste in retail dining operations is challenging but the opportunities for food waste reduction are immense. Join CURC…
Did you miss the last College & University Recycling Coalition webinar on composting food waste on campus? Listen to speakers from Food Recovery Challenge partner Middlebury College in Vermont along with two other great speakers! Presenters -Joe Rasmussen, Ed.D., LEED AP BD+C, Integrated Waste Management Specialist, CalRecycle -Missy Beckwith, Assistant Director for Support Services, Middlebury…
Are you not already a Food Recovery Challenge partner? The Food Recovery Challenge asks participants to reduce as much of their food waste as possible – saving money, helping communities, and protecting the environment. Have you started or plan to start food recovery work? You can now join through the new data platform. It is…
Thursday, December 5th, 2013 – Composting Strategies for Colleges and Universities Webinar, Thursday, December 5, 2013 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM In this Webinar, the EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge (FRC) will be explained and success stories from partners will be shared. Whether your school has been composting for years or is just beginning to contemplate a composting…
Attend the Resource Conservation Planning Day 2 – Asset-specific Planning Wednesday, November 6, 2013 8:30am – 4:00pm Courtyard by Marriott, Marlborough 75 Felton Street Marlborough, MA 01752 This workshop provides specific guidance and examples for water and energy conservation, and reduction of materials found in solid waste. Full day attendance qualifies for the remaining 6…
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has a brand new textile recycling web page, full of information for municipalities, schools, and the general public on state and regional initiatives to how and where textiles can be recycled. Check it out!
Martha’s Vineyard is an island that has to ship it’s waste off to landfills and incinerators on the mainland of Massachusetts, which can get very expensive. A large percentage of that waste consists of compostable materials, like food waste and other organics. Instead of being trucked off the island, these materials could be processed into compost through a…
MSSCOR invites you to attend the first conference call among MSSCOR, John Fischer of the MassDEP; Sarah Cadorette of FoodDay Massachusetts; Heather Billings of RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts, and more! There will be Q&A sessions after each speaker, and open discussions after their presentations. Spread the word, ask pertinent questions, and add your perspective or helpful tip. Friday, Noon – 1 October…
Join Reuse Alliance MA for the 2013 Reuse Summit at EcoBuilding Bargains in Springfield! When: October 22nd, 12pm-3:30pm Where: EcoBuilding Bargains, 83 Warwick Street ,Springfield MA 01104 RSVP and more information: http://reusesummitma2013.eventbrite.com/
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) recently posted a directory of vendors of small organics-to-energy systems. These systems are of potential interest to generators with feedstocks in the range of 0.5 to 30 tons per day, such as small farms, individual food waste generators, or small community systems.
When we think of recycling, we think of doing good for the environment. This article in the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Blog demonstrates how much more recycling can do for us. Author Dave Fusselman of Fusselman Salvage Co. provides a summary of additional advantages of recycling, including job creation and national economic benefit.
The RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts program has posted recommended best management practices (BMPs) for source-separated food waste collection at businesses and institutions. These BMPs are intended to serve as a resource for local health officials, as well as provide guidance to businesses and institutions and their haulers. Check out the below web page for more information! …
BioCycle and the American Biogas Council interviewed Kenneth Kimmell, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, about opportunities for renewable energy from anaerobic digestion in Massachusetts. Check out the informative article, published in BioCycle Magazine, here.
ran a story on the power of sustainable practices in the big business economy. You can listen to or read the original article here.
The search for compostable plastics that truly decompose is one hurdle many facilities face when establishing composting programs. This article posted in Waste & Recycling News introduces a new database, developed by the Biodegradable Products Institute, that lists 3,300 items certified to disintegrate in commercial facilities.
Massachusetts is ahead of the curve when it comes to waste management, using several waste bans to prevent recyclable, compostable and hazardous materials from entering the waste stream. To keep this system working, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) hired three new state inspectors to help prevent banned items from improper disposal. This article…
In FY13 RecyclingWorks responded to over 300 hotline callers, provided technical assistance to more than 40 businesses and institutions, wrote and posted 13 case studies and diverted an estimated 8,800 tons of material from disposal. For more information, check out our FY13 Year End Report below. FY13 Year End Report
Looking for something, but don’t want to buy it new? The Reuse Marketplace is the place to go. From pallet jacks to museum display cases to LaserJet printer cartridges, the Reuse Marketplace has what you need at a reduced price. Can’t find what you want? A quick post on the “Wanted” forum lets other viewers see what you need. …
Commercial Food Waste Ban an Almost Certainty for Massachusetts in July 2014– With the proposed commercial food waste ban taking place in July, 2014, businesses and institutions generating at least one ton of organic waste a week will be required to diverted that material from disposal. Among those businesses that the ban will impact are…
Jordan’s Dairy Farm in Rutland produces much more than milk – their anaerobic digester turns manure and food waste into fertilizer and energy. This media piece from WBUR explains how the digester has revitalized their business, all while diverting 45 tons of food waste per day! Read the article or listen to the original broadcast…
From GreenBiz.com – An article about the value of and means to reduce corporate food waste. Find the original article here. The following steps are recommended. For technical assistance in starting a corporate food waste management program, contact the RecyclingWorks hotline at (888)254-5525, or info@recyclingworksma.com. Assess your food waste and current activities Identify the internal…
Take a look at the RecyclingWorks Newsletter for August! Content includes the commercial food waste ban proposal, follow-up on the WasteWise Forum, news on waste diversion programs at Crosby’s Marketplace, case studies and more. Find the current edition here (link). To receive the monthly newsletter in your inbox, fill out the form below! Sign Up…
The Natural Resources Defense Council Staff Blog has a new post highlighting the efforts of Massachusetts businesses to divert food waste from landfills. Author Dana Gunder discusses the food waste problem, the proposed Massachusetts commercial food waste ban, and diversion methods including donation and anaerobic digestion. Find the original article here: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/dgunders/massachusetts_leads_the_way_on.html
Check out this article from the Boston Herald highlighting the proposed Massachusetts commercial food waste ban. Highlights include Clark University, which saves $3000 annually diverting food waste: http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/07/food_waste_law_could_make_dollars_and_sense
The upcoming Massachusetts commercial food waste ban is highlighted in this article from MassLive.com. The article highlights the efforts of the Big Y supermarket chain, which has received significant assistance from the RecyclingWorks program!
Please see the below notice relative to proposed regulation amendments to 310 CMR 19.000, including the proposed commercial organics waste ban. The comment period will run until 5:00 PM on Friday, August 23. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (MassDEP) MassDEP, acting in accordance with M.G.L.…
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has posted the following updated information relative to organics and food waste programs on the MassDEP web site: Updated Organics Action Plan – this replaces the May 2012 version and provides updated program status as of June 2013: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/public/committee-4/orgplan12.pdf Updated List of Food Materials Processing Facilities: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/recycle/reduce/06-thru-l/fcdcmpst.pdf
Check out this article from boston.com about Babson College and their preparation for the Massachusetts commercial food waste ban that begins in 2014. Their three-step program begins with pre-consumer food waste, and will ultimately include post-consumer food waste as well. Babson College launching pilot food waste diversion program this summer
Release No. 0112.13 Contact: Office of Communications (202) 720-4623 Printable version USDA and EPA Launch U.S. Food Waste Challenge Calls on both Public Sector and Private Industry to reduce food waste WASHINGTON, June 4, 2013 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the U.S.…
Check out this article from Eco Mass News about the upcoming Massachusetts food waste ban, highlighting assistance provided by the RecyclingWorks program to the Blue Man Group! Find the article Here, and also take a look at our Blue Man Group Case Study.
We’ve updated our business sector guidance page for colleges and universities with a new case study! Learn how Harvard University achieves 55% waste diversion, despite limited storage and dock space, by utilizing technology and student involvement. Harvard Case Study
Take a look at the RecyclingWorks Newsletter for June! Content includes four new case studies, news on waste diversion programs at Big E’s Supermarket, Berkshire Community College, the upcoming WasteWise Forum and more. Find the current edition here (link). To receive the monthly newsletter in your inbox, fill out the form below! Sign Up Today!…
The Boston Business Journal recently announced the winners for The Best Green Practices, and The Furniture Trust is thrilled to have won in the category of Innovation. Check out the article from the Boston Business Journal below, which highlights their dontations to victims of Hurricane Sandy. (Click HERE to read the full article)
State Street Corporation added a pre-consumer composting program to supplement their successful recycling program in 2011, and realized a 13% decrease in their overall waste volume! Learn more about their efforts in the case study now published on our sector guidance page for offices! State Street Case Study
We’ve updated our business guidance page for offices with a new case study! Learn how Genzyme’s cafeterias introduced a composting program, diverting 6,620 lbs of food waste in the first year of the program! Read the article (PDF) here, or visit our sector guidance page for offices for more information.
Check out our new restaurant case study! Learn about the steps taken by the Clio Restaurant in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood to divert as much as 25 tons of food waste annually. Find the PDF here (link), or visit our page for restaurant business sector guidance.
Here’s an interesting article from the April 27th edition of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, which highlights the efforts of some Worcester area colleges and universities to divert food waste. More than just french fries! Worcester State and Assumption are mentioned, both of whom received guidance from RecyclingWorks! Follow this link for the full article!
We’ve added a new case study to our business sector guidance page for hospitals. The case study is a ten year follow up for Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain, MA, and outlines the steps they took to realize a $32,000 savings in waste disposal costs! Read the full text here(link).
The Center for EcoTechnology celebrated Earth Day on Monday with the launch of their new solar panel installation at EcoBuilding Bargains! Check out an article about the event from MassLive.com (Link).
Take a look at the RecyclingWorks Newsletter for April! Content includes three new case studies, news on waste diversion programs at Assumption College in Worcester, MA, and upcoming events. Find the current edition here (link). To receive the monthly newsletter in your inbox, fill out the form below! Sign Up Today! * required Email Address:…
The EcoRI News published this article about the upcoming Massachusetts commercial food waste ban, and the sytems developed by the Blue Man Group and the Charles Playhouse to divert over 42 tons of recyclables and food scraps from their waste stream. Also check out our Blue Man Group Case Study!
Stop and Shop is again in the news, this time for their goal to decrease their carbon footprint by 20% by 2015. “Stop & Shop is committed to responsible retailing, knowing that what’s good for society is good for business too,” says Joe Kelley, president, Stop & Shop New England, in a statement. “We continuously…
Here’s an interesting piece from Plastics News about Hannaford and Stop and Shop Supermarkets, and their respective programs to carry out back-end rigid plastics recycling! These programs are pilots for the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers, with the goal of capturing more that 350 million pounds of rigid plastics generated by supermarkets in the United States.
CET is an equal opportunity employer. To learn more about the jobs that are available, please click on the titles below. EcoFellowship positions available Business Systems Manager – Northampton MassDEP Green Business Specialist – Boston EcoFellowship positions 2013-2014 The Center for EcoTechnology is seeking qualified college graduate candidates for a one-year paid fellowship position to work with…
Check out the following press release from the US EPA. Amongst the honorees is Clark University, which has received significant support from RecyclingWorks over the past year! News Release U.S. Environmental Protection Agency New England Regional Office April 1, 2013 Contact: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017 Seven New England Colleges and Universities Honored for Food Waste…
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), a project of sustainability non-profit organization GreenBlue, announced the successful completion of the soft launch phase of its How2Recycle recycling labeling system. Full Text Here
Here’s a video describing the Beth Israel Hospital Composting Program! The video describes their unique system of color-coding the containers as the customers choose them (salad, soups, drinks) as compostable, recyclable or landfill. Then at the disposal area, the colors are repeated on the appropriate containers. They also have signage above. http://bcove.me/9et72cbe
Original article from the Northeast Recycling Council: The Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers (APR) has announced the availability of new online resources created to help grocery chains recycle more of the plastic containers they use and empty onsite. The program is aimed at recycling the more than 350 million pounds of plastic containers that…
Here’s an article about the proposed Massachusetts commercial food waste ban from The South Coast Today. A lot valuable information!
Here’s an interesting article from Biocycle Magazine about Weis Markets, Inc, a 163-store grocery chain. Read about how Weis Markets increased sustainability and cut costs by implementing a chain-wide composting program! Full text here.
RecyclingWorks has a newsletter! Take a look at the March edition. If you’re interested in having the monthly newsletter delivered to your inbox, sign up in the form below! Sign Up Today! * required Email Address: * First Name: Last Name: Email Marketing by VerticalResponse
This article from the Sunday, March 3rd edition of the Worcester Telegram highlights some interesting information about anaerobic digesters in Massachusetts. Besides diverting organic waste from landfills, digesters produce heat and electricity, produce fertilizer, provide dollar savings from waste disposal, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use. Massachusetts is considering several sites for…
We’ve added a new case study to our business sector guidance page for Venues! Read about how bottle and can recycling saved Davis Farmland over $600 in 2012. You can find the case study here (PDF), or check out our Stadium/Venue guidance page!
Check out this interesting article from SeaCoast Online about organic waste collection in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Their revolutionary program not only saved the city an estimated $200,000 dollars in 2012, but makes them one of the greenest communities on the East Coast!
Free Webinar on the Reuse Marketplace: Capture Value. Exchange Reusable Items. Save Money. Reduce Waste. Join us for a Webinar on March 13 Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/944987978 The Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC) has launched the Reuse Marketplace , a website where businesses, government, institutions, and non-profits can post…
There’s a new case study posted in our Hospitals sector guidance section! Learn about the steps Cooley Dickinson Hospital took to add front-of-house post-consumer composting, and how they led to a diversion of 60 tons of food waste! Get the PDF here.
Learn about the Boston University Dining Services composting program, which diverted over 850 tons of organic waste in 2011. Find the case study PDF here, or check out our business guidance page for colleges and universities!
Did you know organic matter decomposing in landfills accounts for 16.2 percent of the nation’s emissions of methane? Take a look at this interesting article from the Washington Post reviewing the state of Composting in the D.C. area and nationwide.
Check out our new page providing valuable waste management guidance for colleges and universities.
Included is a case study describing how the University of Massachusetts at Amherst diverted an additional 1200 pounds of food waste per day by expanding their composting program!
Learn more about the RecyclingWorks program with this article and interview from WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Greg Cooper from Mass DEP and Lorenzo Macaluso from the Center for Ecotechnology discuss waste management challenges and opportunities for Massachusetts businesses. Find the original article as well as audio content here. Massachusetts Begins New Recycling Program For Businesses By LUCAS…
MassRecycle recently recognized the Boston-based Blue Man Group as the Entertainment Recycler of the Year. Blue Man Group has recently revamped their disposal services to include an expanded selection of materials for recycling, including food waste generated during performance. With technical assistance from RecyclingWorks, Blue Man Group has met internal green initiatives for their organization…
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a no-cost recycling assistance program designed to help businesses and institutions maximize recycling, reuse, and composting opportunities across the state. Since the program’s launch one year ago, RecyclingWorks has assisted 185 businesses across Massachusetts with waste reduction activities like recycling and composting. “RecyclingWorks is already having a significant impact across the…
