Marty’s Local is committed to sustainability in every aspect of its operations, from waste reduction to supporting local agriculture. Located in South Deerfield, MA, Marty’s Local is a distributor that connects local farmers and food producers with customers, helping to strengthen the regional food system. They have implemented practices aimed at minimizing environmental impact and are working towards expanding waste operations to keep more materials out of the trash. Their current waste reduction practices include:
- Donating surplus food to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
- Storing cardboard boxes for continual reuse until they are no longer usable
- Recycling approximately 16 tons of cardboard each year
- Training staff in best practices on when and how to use reusable pallet wraps
- Providing pallets to community members for reuse and upcycling
- Using reusable crates to transport perishable products
Determined to enhance their waste diversion efforts, Marty’s Local connected with RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) during a Green Team event in the spring of 2024. Marty’s was seeking guidance on expanding their waste management practices. A RecyclingWorks’ Waste Reduction Consultant conducted a waste assessment at the facility and evaluated their existing waste management program.
Following the assessment, RecyclingWorks shared recommendations with Marty’s Local that outlined opportunities for improvements. These improvements included color-coding material collection containers and signage, implementing film plastic recycling, and food waste collection for composting, as well as right sizing dumpsters. RecyclingWorks also shared resources including a Facilities Materials Management Plan, which clearly presents recycling procedures by material, and a bin inventory spreadsheet that enables businesses to catalog waste containers and signage throughout their facilities.
As Marty’s Local continues to grow, their commitment to sustainability deepens. With the help of RecyclingWorks’ Waste Reduction Consultants, they are working to improve their handling of film plastics and are actively exploring options for composting. By investing in the right infrastructure and partnering with eco-conscious vendors, they are making great strides toward a zero-waste future.
If your business or institution is interested in implementing similar recycling or food waste diversion programs, RecyclingWorks is here to support you. We can create educational signage for your waste and recycling bins, offer in-person site visits, provide comprehensive, customized waste reduction recommendations, and more.
Call our hotline at 888-254-5525 or email us at info@RecyclingWorksMA.com to get started. RecyclingWorks and the Green Team are Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) funded programs administered by CET.