The flowers are in full bloom, the sun is shining brightly, and Zero Waste Arlington is championing a variety of community events filled with summer fun and reuse activities Arlington Beer Garden For the second year in a row, Zero Waste Arlington is partnering with the Arlington Recreation Department and beer vendor Arlington Brewing Company…
When Boston University (BU) identified an opportunity to replace single-use takeout containers on campus in February 2023, it considered several solutions and then launched its innovative and practical reuse program. “Our goal was to change habits around reuse,” said Lexie Raczka, Sustainability Director for Boston University Dining Services. “We don’t have a default option. We…
Trying a new recipe that needs a pinch of something not on your spice shelf? Devouring your favorite local honey and noticing a pile of jars stacking up? Fulfilled Goods of Newton has you covered. Opened in 2022, Fulfilled Goods is a low-waste, package-free market and bulk refillery. It offers everything from dried goji berries…
Are you interested in reusables but don’t have commercial dishwashing capabilities, space, or time? Third-party warewashing may be the solution. Pegasystems (Pega) is a software company headquartered in Waltham, MA. One of the perks of working from their offices is the staff pantries offering coffee, tea, and other beverages for employees. Pega realized the pantry…
Headed to the Cape to put your feet in the sand and a cool drink in your hand? Haley O’Neil and Adam Gracia with CARE for the Cape and Islands and the Use Less Plastic Coalition are kicking off three initiatives to reduce single-use plastics during Plastic Free July. Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC) Initiative…
Understanding Reusables: A Comprehensive Overview and Key Resource The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Solid Waste Master Plan outlines goals to reduce waste in MA 30% by 2030 and 90% by 2050. How do we get there? By everyone doing their part. The MassDEP Reduce and Reuse Working Group identified food establishment single-use waste…
Replacing single-use foodservice container options with reusables can reduce both disposal costs and long-term purchasing needs for restaurants and other food service businesses. According to Clean Water Action, packaging waste makes up approximately 30% of waste disposed of in the US, and these products “consume a tremendous amount of resources — including oil, trees, energy,…
The Recycling & Reuse Business Development Grant (RBDG) program is intended to help Massachusetts recycling processors and manufacturers create sustainable markets for eligible materials, and to add value to municipal and business recycling efforts. Selected applicants will receive grant awards of between $50,000 and $400,000. Targeted materials for the 2021 RBDG are: Container glass: developing…
As reported by Cape Cod Times, the Massachusetts Oyster Project successfully collected 25,000 pounds of shells from Wellfleet restaurants. These shells will be scattered along the Wellfleet harbor to restore oyster habitat instead of going for disposal. Eight local Wellfleet restaurants signed up for the pilot program and successfully sorted the shells into designated containers…
Restaurateurs and business owners are faced with numerous demands on a regular basis – from pleasing customers, to operational logistics, to balancing books, to adapting to changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. MetroWest Daily News recently highlighted another factor businesses must consider: establishing and maintaining successful recycling and composting programs. Cardboard, bottles and cans,…
As restaurants and eateries have pivoted to offer more to-go meal options during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of single-use packaging has increased. Businesses seeking to save money and reduce waste can reap numerous benefits while demonstrating a commitment to sustainability by reviewing and adopting different practices for to-go items. RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) now…
Many in business are familiar with the phrase, “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.” After observing restaurants struggling to monitor their wasted food and reasons for product loss, Phood created a new tool to help businesses track and improve food inventory management. According to Green Biz, Phood has drawn on artificial intelligence technology to…
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) recently released proposed amendments to the solid waste disposal bans (310 CMR 19.000). These changes would add mattresses and textiles as materials that are banned from disposal in Massachusetts, and lower the threshold for the commercial organics ban so that it would apply to businesses generating one-half ton…
During a time when the foodservice industry is experiencing thinner margins and altered operations, reducing food waste can support businesses as they adjust. According to a The Business Case for Reducing Food Loss and Waste: Restaurants, each dollar invested in solutions for kitchen food waste can result in an average of a seven dollar return…
During the pandemic takeout meals have become the norm, enabling restaurants across Massachusetts to continue serving customers when in-person dining is limited. For consumers, this convenience comes with a trade-off: an abundance of packaging and single-use items that often cannot be recycled. For the food service industry, this means spending money to purchase items that…
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), in collaboration with the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), recently launched the MassGrown Exchange, a new online platform that facilitates business-to-business connections within the local food system. This platform is a tool for businesses looking to sell, donate, or purchase Massachusetts crops, seafood, products and services: Buyers (including…
Has your business ever lost food inventory as result of an emergency or other unplanned event? Once an emergency happens, it is likely too late to create a plan that prevents wasted food from being disposed of as trash. With a plan in place in advance, you can reduce the amount of food that is…
As restaurants and other food-service operations adapt to a new normal, the associated changes in procurement practices, customer base, and hours of operation can lead to increased levels of food waste. RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) recently spoke with PAGU, a restaurant in Cambridge, to learn more about how they reduce food waste throughout their operations…
Belly of the Beast is a fast-casual restaurant in Northampton focused on using local ingredients and engaging in sustainable practices. Although operations were disrupted due to COVID-19, Belly of the Beast has been able to maintain a focus on waste reduction while strengthening ties to the local community and feeding those in need. Recently, Belly…
As foodservice businesses expand their operations or re-open after a period of closure, volumes and patterns of food waste are likely to shift. LeanPath recently hosted a webinar on how to identify and manage food waste as kitchens re-open. By carefully tracking and reducing food waste, businesses and institutions can respond to increased customer expectations…
This spring, many food service businesses temporarily closed or began operating at a reduced capacity, disrupting the local and regional food system. With fewer commercial and institutional outlets for food products, farms, manufacturers, distributors, and other entities along the supply chain are finding themselves with surplus food. At the same time, food rescue organizations that…
A recent article from Business West spotlights several businesses in Western Massachusetts that are using various strategies to tackle unnecessary waste. As the article demonstrates, there are often many opportunities for businesses to make small operational and purchasing changes that prioritize reuse, recycling, and food waste diversion. Monsoon Roastery, a coffee roastery in Springfield,…
The U.S. EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy ranks feeding hungry people near the top of its priorities as a strategy to reduce wasted food. In Massachusetts, the amount of rescued and donated food increased by over 20% between 2014 and 2017 as individual businesses and chains partnered with food rescue organizations across the state. Milford Daily…
NBC News recently reported on the Food for All mobile app that allows users to buy discounted, leftover food from participating local restaurants. As a result of daily demand fluctuations, restaurants and cafes often find themselves with excess food at the end of the business day. To help prevent this food from going to waste,…
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and World Resources Institute (WRI) recently released a report about the cost savings realized by restaurants that invest in food waste reduction. WRAP and WRI conducted their research on behalf of Champions 12.3, an international coalition of executives from government, businesses, and institutions, dedicated to accelerating progress towards…
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…
Waste Dive recently reported that food waste reduction is a high priority for U.S. diners. According to research from Chefhero and goMkt, nearly half of all U.S. diners would be willing to pay more to eat at a restaurant with a food waste reduction program. These changing consumer attitudes demonstrate an increasing awareness of the…
The Williamstown COOL Committee, the town’s environmental group, launched a successful food waste diversion initiative as a part of their work plan for 2018. The COOL Committee collaborated with RecyclingWorks in assisting local businesses and institutions to begin composting their food scraps. Williamstown is currently home to more than 30 small-scale businesses that are collectively…
MassLive recently reported on the efforts restaurateurs are taking to curb food waste. The article describes common causes of restaurant food waste and actions restaurants can take to prevent waste in their operations. Because profit margins are typically very thin, restaurants are strongly incentivized to reduce wasted food, which is also wasted money. Common causes…
Waste360 recently reported on several startup companies helping businesses reduce food waste in innovative ways, utilizing technology to make it easier for food waste generators to order inventory more accurately, measure and track their food waste, and identify opportunities to sell oversupplied food at a discount. Each of the following featured startups has built a…
The Daily Item recently reported on actions being taken by Massachusetts businesses, institutions, and charitable organizations to reduce food waste in their communities. In many cases, these entities are working together to find synergies in reducing the amount of waste they produce, donating excess food, or diverting food scraps to other uses such as composting.…
The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) recently released a guide to help restaurants reduce plastic waste in their operations. This guide, 3 Steps to Reduce Plastic and Benefit Your Business: A Guide for Restaurants and Eateries, is part of the Trash Free Waters Pilot Project, a partnership between PSI, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 2 office,…
