A recent article in Business NH Magazine reports that twelve New England organizations are supporting a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiative to reduce the nearly 35 million tons of food waste generated nationally each year. This initiative, called the EPA Food Recovery Challenge, focuses on encouraging businesses, organizations and institutions to prevent food waste by donating and recycling food. There are currently 750 groups taking part in the Food Recovery Challenge, including the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), who are official “endorsers.” Their role is to educate others about the environmental consequences of wasted food, and to recruit new groups to join. MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg supports the initiative, citing RecyclingWorks as a key program to help businesses implement the initiative’s goals.

RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts has resources for businesses or institutions interested in reducing surplus food generated, donating excess edible food, or diverting inedible food waste. For more information, contact RecyclingWorks by email or call 1-888-254-5525.