Green Biz recently reported on how the World Resources Institute (WRI) is taking steps to reduce office food waste in line with state, federal, and international food waste reduction goals. Below are some strategies and steps that your organization can take to address and reduce wasted food: If your office does not already have one,…
According to the USDA, approximately half of the average American’s food budget is allocated to meals eaten outside the home. As quick service and fast casual restaurants become ubiquitous, there is also an associated increase in the amount of waste produced. Many Boston area restaurants are taking steps through their purchasing and operations to reduce…
The MassDEP Recycling Business Development Grant (RBDG) program is currently accepting applications for its 2019 grant cycle. The program provides grant awards between $50,000 and $400,000 for projects that encourage growth in recycling markets of harder to recycle materials. The program will consider projects that promote the processing, manufacturing, or reuse of one or more specific eligible…
On May 1, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital hosted RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the 2019 Spring WasteWise Forum. These forums are attended by recycling and sustainability coordinators, facility managers, and professionals in the recycling industry, and are particularly useful for networking and discussion. This year’s spring…
The 2014 Commercial Organics Waste Ban in Massachusetts has led to a 70% increase in the number of businesses and institutions receiving food scraps collection from haulers, Waste Today reports. As of 2018, 45 facilities now accept food scraps in Massachusetts and more than 2300 commercial customers utilize these services. Other cities and states that…
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking applicants for the position of Environmental Analyst III. This Boston-based position is responsible for managing the Waste & Recycling Inspector program within MassDEP’s Division of Business Compliance and Recycling, which is located within the Bureau of Air and Waste (BAW). The Environmental Analyst III is an…
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) recently released Recycle Smart, a statewide initiative focused on putting the right materials in recycling bins and separating “problem materials” that cause contamination and drive up the cost of recycling. The goal of this initiative is to reduce contamination in materials sent to Massachusetts Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs).…
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Food Recovery Hierarchy ranks feeding hungry people near the top of its priorities as a strategy to reduce wasted food. When businesses and institutions donate edible wholesome food, it has a positive impact on the environment while also supporting the local community and economy. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection…
A recent Waste Dive article discusses the growth of the food recovery marketplace in Massachusetts, including expansion in tons of diverted food waste, quantity of customers served by organics waste haulers, and number of end-sites available for processing food waste. This article was based on a presentation by MassDEP at its Organics Subcommittee meeting held…
In November, the US Environmental Protection Agency recognized 14 Massachusetts entities with 2017 Food Recovery Challenge (FRC) Awards. Food Recovery Challenge participants pledge to prevent and divert wasted food in their operations. Food Recovery Challenge National Award Winners include Massachusetts businesses Signature Breads in Chelsea and Spoiler Alert in Boston. Last year alone, Signature Breads…
