Since 2014, when the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) enacted the Commercial Organics Disposal Ban, businesses and institutions across the state have increasingly diverted food waste. While food waste diversion leads to significant environmental benefits, it also has the potential to provide cost savings for businesses and creates opportunities to address customer and employee…
Breweries across Massachusetts are demonstrating their commitment to sustainability through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and organics diversion opportunities. Here are just a few recent examples. Untold Brewing is a Scituate-based microbrewery with sustainability efforts focused on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and water conservation. As recently reported by The Hingham Anchor, the micro-brewery diverts spent…
“Our customers hold us to a high standard, so we want to hold ourselves to an even higher standard” – Jaclyn Graham, Chief Communications Officer for Nashoba Brook Bakery. On November 10, RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) hosted the Fall 2021 WasteWise Forum Webinar in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the…
As reported by Cape Cod Times, the Massachusetts Oyster Project successfully collected 25,000 pounds of shells from Wellfleet restaurants. These shells will be scattered along the Wellfleet harbor to restore oyster habitat instead of going for disposal. Eight local Wellfleet restaurants signed up for the pilot program and successfully sorted the shells into designated containers…
Good Filling, a Boston-based company that sells refillable home-care and personal-care products, was recently awarded a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grant. These grants can be up to $5,000 and are awarded to for-profit and non-profit organizations, as well as eligible municipalities, for short-term waste reduction projects. Good Filling will be…
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts holds regular forums for businesses and institutions. These forums bring together business leaders, sustainability professionals, facilities managers, food service providers, and others to learn about waste-related topics, network, and share ideas. See below for more information about upcoming and past Forums! The RecyclingWorks forums were formerly part of the WasteWise program, sponsored…
Learn how Brandeis University, a research institution in Waltham, implemented a dorm and public space recycling program with support from RecyclingWorks, and established a performance plan for their food service provider focused on eight sustainability goals.
Learn how Home City Development, Inc. (HCDI), a non-profit real estate developer based in Springfield, worked with RecyclingWorks to salvage materials for reuse during their renovation of the historic Elias Brookings School.
Widespread changes in consumer dining and purchasing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic shifted food waste generation from business sectors like catering, restaurants, and institutional cafeterias to homes, impacting composting operations across the state. As described by The Vineyard Gazette, the Martha’s Vineyard Food Waste Recovery Initiative is one of many programs that experienced a reduction…
Restaurateurs and business owners are faced with numerous demands on a regular basis – from pleasing customers, to operational logistics, to balancing books, to adapting to changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. MetroWest Daily News recently highlighted another factor businesses must consider: establishing and maintaining successful recycling and composting programs. Cardboard, bottles and cans,…
As restaurants and eateries have pivoted to offer more to-go meal options during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of single-use packaging has increased. Businesses seeking to save money and reduce waste can reap numerous benefits while demonstrating a commitment to sustainability by reviewing and adopting different practices for to-go items. RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) now…
As described by Forbes, Massachusetts-based Ocean Spray is one of the latest brands partnering with TerraCycle to reduce the disposal of single-use materials. Through this partnership, consumers can collect the empty flexible plastic packaging used for Ocean Spray snack products and send these items to TerraCycle for recycling using a pre-paid shipping label. Looking beyond…
Belly of the Beast is a fast-casual restaurant in Northampton focused on using local ingredients and engaging in sustainable practices. Although operations were disrupted due to COVID-19, Belly of the Beast has been able to maintain a focus on waste reduction while strengthening ties to the local community and feeding those in need. Recently, Belly…
If your business is resuming in-person operations after a period of closure, you may have questions about resuming your trash and recycling services. Here are some important tips to keep in mind as you reopen: Contact your waste hauler – It is critical to provide advanced notice to your waste hauler(s) that you need to…
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized four Massachusetts entities with 2019 Food Recovery Challenge (FRC) awards. The Food Recovery Challenge is a voluntary program for organizations and businesses to implement strategies to reduce food waste in their operations in alignment with the Food Recovery Hierarchy. If your organization is not already a Food…
As restaurants and wholesalers adjust their operations due to COVID-19, wholesalers and distributors have been left with existing inventories of perishable food. To keep up with changing practices, some Massachusetts food wholesalers and distributors that normally serve businesses are setting up direct-to-consumer home delivery to move their supply of fresh produce and other foods. Boston.com…
Anaerobic digestion infrastructure has expanded in Massachusetts, creating an important outlet for commercial organic waste. One company, Vanguard Renewables, operates five anaerobic digesters on dairy farms across the state, which provide opportunities for supermarkets, food manufacturers, restaurants, and other businesses to divert their food material from disposal and comply with the Massachusetts commercial organics waste…
After a year of preparation, food rescue organization Lovin’ Spoonfuls launched their first delivery in Hampden County last month. The Boston-based organization feeds hungry people by collecting surplus edible food from local businesses and institutions and delivering it to shelters, food pantries, and other groups that serve food-insecure populations across the state. Lovin’ Spoonfuls has…
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP’s) 2014 commercial organics disposal ban has already had a significant impact on the state’s diversion of food materials, as well as growth in the food waste marketplace. Since the ban was implemented, annual food waste diversion has increased by 180,000 tons, food donation has increased by 22%, and…
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…
In an article that appears in Green Lodging News, Dan Reuben discusses innovations in the hotel industry since he co-founded Boston Green Tourism in 2005. Hotels have the potential to use large amounts of energy and water, and produce a large quantity of waste. In the article, Reuben writes that the hotel industry has improved…
Learn how Harvard University achieves 55% waste diversion, despite limited storage and dock space, by utilizing technology and student involvement.
Learn how RecyclingWorks helped Davis Farmland save an estimated $660 in disposal costs by recycling bottles and cans.
An overview of recycling and on-site composting programs at this annual ten-day event.
Learn how Blue Man Group expanded their recycling system, began food waste diversion and drastically reduced waste disposal costs while meeting internal green initiatives.
Century Kitchens provides an excellent model for businesses in transition by demonstrating cost-effective reuse and recycling alternatives to disposal.
Learn how Haydocy Gas Station in South Hadley eliminated 600 pounds of waste annually by recycling bottles & cans.
Learn how Wyman’s Liquors in Leominster saved $7,000 annually by recycling their cardboard. See the updated Wyman’s Liquors Video and Written Case Study (2020) to learn how they expanded their recycling program to divert 90% of materials generated on-site.
Read about the steps the Clio Restaurant in Boston, MA takes to divert nearly 50,000 lbs of food waste annually!
State Street Corporation decreased their total waste volume by 13% simply by implementing a pre-consumer composting program!
Learn about the challenges and accomplishments of Genzyme Corporation’s food waste management program, and the steps they implemented to divert 6,620 lbs of food waste in the first year!
Learn about the steps the Sheraton Colonial Hotel & Conference Center took to increase sustainability, save money, and create a culture of conservation with their employees.
Learn the Center for EcoTechnology’s approach to waste management, which maximizes waste diversion with recycling, composting and employee involvement.
Learn how the Hilton Garden Inn has implemented commercial composting in the Devens area.
Shattuck hospital and their hauler, Save That Stuff, have been working together since 2003, resulting in a savings of $32,000 in solid waste management costs over the past ten years!
Learn the simple steps used by Cooley Dickinson Hospital to expand their composting program and divert 60 tons of organic waste!
Learn how the Boston University Dining Services established a food waste diversion program in partnership with its hauler, Save That Stuff.
Waste Dive recently reported that food waste reduction is a high priority for U.S. diners. According to research from Chefhero and goMkt, nearly half of all U.S. diners would be willing to pay more to eat at a restaurant with a food waste reduction program. These changing consumer attitudes demonstrate an increasing awareness of the…
Learn how the University of Massachusetts diverted over 1200 pounds of food waste per day by implementing a composting program.
Big Y foods began diverting food waste from disposal in the mid 1990s. Today, all the stores recycle cardboard, paper, and film plastics, and more than 80% of the Big Y locations in Massachusetts have active composting programs.
The Northampton Brewery benefits from a comprehensive waste diversion program that nearly eliminates the need for trash disposal. The Brewery demonstrates their commitment to improving environmental performance by diverting approximately 95% of their waste for recycling and composting.
Mitigating food waste is a complex problem for food distributors, often the result of inconsistencies in forecasting demand and uncontrollable system breakdowns. As described by Spoiler Alert, the management of food waste in food distribution facilities can typically be improved by incorporating four key operational strategies. Each of the following practical solutions will help distributors,…
Waste360 recently reported on several startup companies helping businesses reduce food waste in innovative ways, utilizing technology to make it easier for food waste generators to order inventory more accurately, measure and track their food waste, and identify opportunities to sell oversupplied food at a discount. Each of the following featured startups has built a…
The National Restaurant Association and ReFED recently released two resources designed to help restaurants improve sustainability by diverting food waste from disposal. First, the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) report on The State of Restaurant Sustainability 2018 aims to help restaurants of all sizes improve their sustainability practices. The report identifies food waste reduction as an…
The Daily Free Press recently described how a Boston-based startup, Food for All, is combating food waste and considering a new partnership with Boston University (BU). Food for All launched in partnership with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in October 2016 and is rapidly expanding. The startup aims to prevent edible food…
A recent Biocycle article describes how new depackaging facilities across Massachusetts are making it easier for businesses to divert packaged food materials from disposal. Packaged foods may be thrown away when they are out-of-date, mislabeled, damaged, or spoiled. To cut down on this avoidable waste, new facilities are being developed to efficiently remove food from…
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…
On November 9, RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts co-hosted a Food Sustainability Symposium in Easthampton, MA, focusing on effective food waste solutions for businesses and institutions. Symposium attendees learned from their peers about different strategies for cost effectively diverting food scraps and surplus food from…
Mashable’s new series, A Cleaner Future, recently highlighted the food recovery software platform Spoiler Alert in their segment Reducing Food Waste with Technology. Spoiler Alert, a Massachusetts-based organization, helps food service businesses track and donate unsold inventory. Emily Malina, Chief Product Officer, explains how the software syncs with the business inventory lists to show unsold…
A recent Boston Globe article describes how local celebrity chefs and upscale restaurant owners are finding creative ways to reduce food waste. By tracking food loss, utilizing all edible food, and holding employees accountable, these businesses are saving money on purchasing while creating flavorful dishes. Here are a few outstanding examples, showcasing how Massachusetts restaurants…
A study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for a Livable Future analyzes the nutritional composition of wasted food in the United States. The study shines a light on the link between the millions of Americans who are food insecure and the massive quantity of wasted food that could help…
Some quantity of spoiled and damaged foods are an inevitable part of supermarket and food manufacturing operations. Being able to divert these food products from landfills has been a challenge given that many foods are sealed in packaging. However, BioCycle details how one Massachusetts company, E.L. Harvey & Sons Inc., invested in mechanical separation technology…
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…
The Washington Post highlights Baldor Specialty Foods’ organic waste program. Baldor Specialty Foods started putting produce scraps to use rather than discarding them. The sparcs program at Baldor focuses on changing the narrative around excess food and the byproducts we do not usually use. Sparcs, which is scraps spelled backwards, includes foods such as carrot…
Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) awarded $920,700 to five agricultural groups through the Massachusetts Food Ventures Program (MFVP). The MFVP intends to address food access and expansion of economic opportunities through new food ventures and enterprise throughout the state. The MFVP awarded projects that support the food processing infrastructure, distribution systems, and…
Green Retail Decisions recognizes Hannaford Supermarket’s savings with Manomet’s Grocery Stewardship Certification program. This certification helped Hannaford Supermarkets save more than $23 million in 2015. The Manomet Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC) program provides resources for food retailers to optimize operational sustainability, including practices to increase energy efficiency and reduce waste. Hannaford Supermarkets used the GSC…
This fall, several facilities in Massachusetts are starting to accept packaged food material for depackaging. These facilities have installed infrastructure to separate food material from its packaging allowing the wasted food to be fed into an anaerobic digester, composted, or used to produce animal feed. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) list of organizations…
The Harvard Law School and Food For Free are partnering to reduce wasted food and distribute it to feed hungry people. Food for Free, a Cambridge nonprofit, rescues the excess food and distributes it to the area’s hungry. This partnership began with the Harvard Law School May 2016 Commencement lunch where Food for Free recovered…
Food pantries are regular recipients of donated surplus food from business and institutions. RecyclingWorks Food Donation Guidance provides information to help food service entities connect with food rescue organizations to donate surplus food to those who need it. Like other food service entities, food pantries generate food scraps that cannot be eaten. Recently, RecyclingWorks assisted…
WickedLocal.com highlights Massachusetts grocery stores’ diversion programs for wasted food. These programs help grocery stores comply with the Commercial Organics Waste Ban which bans businesses and institutions from disposing of one ton or more of food waste per week. Big Y sends 2,500 tons of wasted food annually from all Massachusetts and nine Connecticut stores…
Rethink Food Waste through Economics and Data (ReFED) released a video component to “The Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste by 20%.” ReFED is a collaboration of over 30 businesses, nonprofits, foundations, and government leaders founded in 2015 to create the roadmap. The ReFED roadmap is a national study and action plan for reducing food…
LeanPath recently posted “7 Eye-Opening Food Waste Videos to Share with Your Team,” on their Food Waste Focus Blog. LeanPath, helps facilities monitor, track, and reduce wasted food using tracking software, data analysis, and custom waste alerts. One video, “Food Waste: A Story of Excess,” highlights the statistics around food waste. For example, in the…
Spoiler Alert, an online platform that encourages businesses to donate their surplus food and organic waste, recently highlighted Daily Table’s successful donation on their User Spotlight Series. Daily Table, a not for profit grocery store located in Dorchester, MA, uses Spoiler Alert to attain donations and special buying opportunities. Daily Table creates healthy prepared meals…
Congressman Jim McGovern spoke on the house floor this month to the importance of reducing food waste. He mentioned the estimated $218 billion per year lost due to the growing, transporting, and disposing of food that is never eaten. WWLP reports on the Congressman McGovern’s statement and the efforts of organizations and institutions in Massachusetts…
This month, EPA New England awarded the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) Environmental Merit Awards. Since 1970, Environmental Merit Awards have recognized individuals and groups in New England for working to protect and improve New England’s environment. The MassDEP, along with corresponding agencies in Connecticut and Vermont, was…
The EPA’s New England Beacon reports on the impact Café de Boston and other restaurants have by joining the EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge (FRC). This May Café de Boston, joined the FRC. The buffet and prepared foods eatery is on track to divert 30 tons of food waste from the landfill this year. The Environmental…
BioCycle Magazine reports on Food Recovery Networks success on college campuses. The Food Recovery Network (FRN), a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, works to fight food waste and hunger in America. Spanning across 40 states and 171 chapters on college campuses, the Food Recovery Network has donated 1.1 million pounds of food. Every semester thousands of…
The Foodservice Packaging Recovery Toolkit is a free resource and guide on recovering foodservice packaging that was launched on April 21, 2016. Foodservice packaging includes items such as boxes, bags, and cups. The Foodservice Packaging Institute is a North American trade association for foodservice packaging industry. Within the institute, the Paper Recovery Alliance, and Plastics…
Renewable Energy from Waste reports on Stop & Shop Supermarket’s Green Energy Facility in Freetown, Massachusetts, which opened April 15. The Green Energy Facility will accept wasted food from the 212 New England Stop & Shop stores and convert this food into energy. The Green Energy Facility estimates that 34,000 tons of inedible food can…
Berkshire Community College (BCC) in Pittsfield, Massachusetts placed 1st in the state and 5th in the nation for recycling rates in the RecycleMania Tournament! The college earned this title with a 75% recycling rate. The recycling rate was measured by the percentage of total waste that was recycled and composted over the course of the…
The Eagle Tribune published an Earth Day article by Martin Suuberg, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Suuberg’s article highlights partnerships and collaborations to promote goals and creative solutions for environmental protection. He provides the example of Massachusetts Clean Energy Partnership for Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. This partnership includes the Greater…
The Recorder reports on one of the first Massachusetts permitted, on-farm composting operation, Martin’s Compost Farm. Robert Martin’s farm was permitted by Mass DEP in 1987. In 2014, Adam Martin, son of Robert, was motivated to take over the farm because of the positive environmental and community benefits of composting. Today, Martin’s Compost Farm is…
Rethink Food Waste Through Economics and Data (ReFED) recently published A Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste by 20 Percent. ReFED, a collaboration between more than 30 businesses, nonprofits, foundations and government leaders, was founded in 2015 to create the first national study and action plan for reducing food waste in the U.S. The roadmap…
Whole Foods announced last week that it will start selling ‘ugly produce’ (vegetables and fruit that do not conform to the company’s aesthetic standards) in select stores beginning in April. They are partnering with Imperfect Produce, a company launched last summer that sells bruised, blemished, or misshapen fruits and vegetables to food retailers at a discounted rate,…
Food Tank recently reported on the not-for-profit grocery store, The Daily Table, and their mission to reduce food waste while alleviating the problem of food insecurity. The Daily Table makes healthy foods affordable by selling products that are close to or past their display code dates at a discounted price point. The Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic has created a fact…
In December, The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), and Lovin’ Spoonfuls, announced their plans to minimize food waste while increasing food security in eastern Massachusetts. The two organizations are collaborating to distribute excess perishable food to member agencies. The Greater Boston Food Bank, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a non-profit hunger-relief organization that serves more…
The Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic (HFLPC) recently produced a video, EXPIRED? Food Waste in America, on how inconsistent date labeling laws contribute to the problem of wasted food. This video expands on the issue identified in the Date Labeling Fact Sheet that HFLPC produced for the Food Donation Guidance for Massachusetts businesses on…
UMass Amherst recently published a report on a residential compost pilot program in one of their dormitories. A trash sort in the fall of 2014 determined that more than a quarter of the waste from the North Apartments was food waste. The original pilot in one dorm, North D, was completed during the fall of…
The Cambridge Day reports on how Food For Free has helped rescue and distribute 1.6 million pounds of surplus food since 1981. Food donation is one strategy that businesses can use to comply with the Massachusetts Commercial Organics Waste Ban. The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act provides liability protection to businesses that donate surplus food. Businesses that…
With the help of the Food Recovery Network, students have been fighting food waste and hunger by donating food from college campuses to food rescue organizations. Nine colleges in Massachusettes have Food Recovery Network chapters. The newest additions in the state are Olin College of Engineering in Needham and Gordon College in Wehnam. Students can apply on the…
Wicked Local Cambridge reports that Lesley University received a 2015 Food Recovery Challenge Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award, a “Regional Food Recovery Achievement Certificate”, recognizes Lesley University as a leader in food waste diversion. Lesley partners with the food rescue organization, Food For Free, to donate surplus food to those…
The Intercontinental Hotel in Boston has a range of green initiatives that include everything from an extensive recycling program to a rooftop apiary. Recently, the hotel changed over 550 reading lamps in their guestrooms and contacted the RecyclingWorks hotline for advice on what to do with the old fixtures. RecyclingWorks connected the Intercontinental Hotel with…
Clark University recently received two awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizing their outstanding waste reduction initiatives. Clark was the only awardee to receive awards for both the Food Recovery Challenge and WasteWise programs in the same year. The EPA awarded Clark with Honorable Mentions in the Narrative Categories for the Food Recovery…
Biocycle Magazine published a forecast for food waste trends in 2016 written by Andrew Shakman of LeanPath. Last year the conversation about wasted food moved into the mainstream with top chefs and the media covering food waste topics. In a significant milestone, the USDA and EPA announced the goal of reducing food waste in the…
The Falmouth Enterprise reported on the Barnstable County Food Waste Subcommittee’s efforts to increase food waste composting on the Cape. The committee, formed in response to the Commercial Organics Waste Ban which took effect in October of 2014, is trying to increase the number of compost sites that accept food waste. Currently, there are two…
The EPA is currently accepting nominations for the 2015 Environmental Merit Awards in New England. Award categories for environmental achievement in the last year include individuals, businesses, government entities, and other organizations. There is also an award for lifetime achievement. Nominations must be submitted online by February 12, 2016. RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a recycling…
The MassDEP posted an updated Organics Study and Action Plan in January 2016 which replaces an earlier version posted in January 2014. This plan outlines the programs and initiatives underway to support the goal of reducing food waste disposal in Massachusetts by 35% by 2020. The recent version of the plan includes new initiatives and…
For participants in the EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge (FRC) and WasteWise programs, annual 2015 data and 2016 goals are due March 31, 2016. Participants in either program must submit their 2015 data and 2016 goals in order to stay active and maintain eligibility to receive awards. Enter data and goals by accessing your account on…
The Massachusetts Surplus Property Program helps connect extra equipment, materials, and supplies to entities that can put them to use. State departments periodically declare surplus property which is offered first to other state entities free of charge. After 30 days, any property that has not been claimed is offered to cities and towns for a…
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is accepting applications for the Commonwealth Organics-to-Energy Program. The funding supports technologies that convert source-separated organic waste into electricity, thermal energy, or compressed gas for vehicle fuel. Applications are currently being accepted for three types of projects: Implementation and Pilot Project Construction Funding. Due March 22. Feasibility Studies. Due…
Last fall, the USDA and EPA posted a video about their goal to reduce wasted food in the US by fifty percent by 2030. In the video, Tom Vilsack (Agriculture Secretary) and Gina McCarthy (EPA) discuss the issue of wasted food and the importance of connecting surplus food to those who need it. Currently, nearly…
BioCycle Magazine recently featured the organics diversion program at Deerfield Academy. This independent boarding school has been diverting compostable waste from their dining hall for years. Recently, the school has been expanding efforts to divert organic waste across the campus as part of an effort to overhaul the campus-wide recycling program. The school calls this…
The Telegram reports on Food Recovery Network chapters at the College of the Holy Cross, Becker College, and Nichols College. The Food Recovery Network (FRN) was founded in 2011 by students at the University of Maryland who recognized how much dining hall food was being wasted. Currently, FRN has more than 150 chapters at colleges…
The results of the 2015 GameDay Recycling Challenge have been posted. MassLive reports that UMass Amherst received first and second place awards for their recycling efforts. UMass students collected recycling at three tailgating parties at McGuirk Alumni Stadium this fall. UMass recycled 18.693 pounds of materials. They placed first in the Mid-American Conference for…
The Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic has updated the tax incentive fact sheet for Massachusetts businesses that donate food. These updates incorporate recent changes to federal tax code that increase the incentive for businesses to donate edible food to social service organizations. The updated fact sheet is available on the Food Donation Guidance for…
In November, The Take Away interviewed Ashley Stanley of Lovin’ Spoonfuls, a Boston-based food rescue organization, about how food donation can help reduce food waste. Lovin’ Spoonfuls collects food that businesses would otherwise throw away and distributes to social service organizations. The interview highlights how local and state waste bans, like the Massachusetts Commercial Organics…
A blog post by the Harvard Law School’s Food Law and Policy Clinic details recent changes the tax code around food donations. Changes to the tax code allow for businesses other than C-Corporations to receive an enhanced tax deduction when making qualifying food donations, and make the deductions a permanent part of the tax code.…
An article in the Boston College student publication, The Gavel, describes the college’s food donation program. Every Bite Counts (eBC) is a student volunteer group that has been helping donate leftover dining hall food since 2005. Five nights each week, student volunteers package and label leftovers from dinner. The group works with Lovin’ Spoonfuls Food…
WCVB reports on the awards that the EPA recently announced which recognize organizations for their food waste reduction efforts. Four of the fourteen organizations that received awards nationwide are located in New England. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection was recognized for food waste outreach and technical assistance provided through the RecyclingWorks program. Salem State…
The MetroWest Daily News published an article about The Food Recovery Act, which was introduced this week. This bill outlines a series of strategies for reducing food waste on a national level including expanding tax deductions and liability protections for businesses and institutions that donate food. Massachusetts, which implemented a commercial organics waste ban in…
