Blog Post

A recent BioCycle article describes the results of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) report on the Commercial Food Waste Ban. The MassDEP report, conducted by ICF International, Inc. of Cambridge, studied the economic development benefits of the ban and the waste reduction initiatives.

In October 2014, MassDEP implemented the Commercial Organics Waste Ban, which prohibits businesses and institutions that generate one ton or more of food waste per week from disposing that waste in the trash. This ban applied to about 1,700 facilities across Massachusetts.

The report found that the ban promoted the job growth (over 900 jobs employed directly and indirectly), spurred $175 million in economic activity, and encouraged innovative approaches to waste reduction.

Massachusetts also supports diversion of wasted food from disposal through technical assistance and grants. MassDEP’s RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts program helps businesses and institutions comply with waste bans. RecyclingWorks offers an online database, a hotline, and on-site assistance to maximize recycling, reuse, and composting opportunities at businesses and institutions.

In addition, grants, such MassDEP’s Recycling Business Development Grant, help expand the processing infrastructure for diverted food materials.

See the full MassDEP report for more details on the analysis of the economic impacts of the food waste ban.

RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts assists businesses and institutions with recycling and food waste reduction through composting and food donation.

To speak to a recycling expert, call our hotline: (888) 254-5525 or email us at info@recyclingworksma.com.