In January, WCAI reported on the organic waste recycling initiative on Martha’s Vineyard. Composting Program Coordinator, Sophie Abrams, is leading the feasibility study and pilot composting program to recycle organic waste on the island.

This initiative is in response to the Commercial Organics Waste Ban, which bans businesses and institutions that generate of one ton or more of food waste per week from disposing of that waste in the trash.

In 2016, RecyclingWorks met with Sophie Abrams and other interested parties on the island. RecyclingWorks assisted with the pilot program, “Composting on the Coast,” on Martha’s Vineyard, a program consisting of six restaurants, pick up service through Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, and the Morning Glory Farm’s compost site. Since June 2016, 32,884 pounds of food has been collected from the six restaurants, in addition to another two tons from summer events on the island.

In addition to composting food scraps, Businesses can comply with the organics ban by employing other diversion methods such as donating surplus food, reducing waste, or feeding animals. To encourage businesses to donate wasted food, RecyclingWorks worked with the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic to create legal fact sheets for Massachusetts including date labeling, tax incentives, and liability protections.

RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts assists businesses and institutions with recycling and food waste reduction through food donation and composting. To speak to a recycling expert, call our hotline: (888) 254-5525 or email us at info@recyclingworksma.com.