Food waste has become an increasingly hot topic in recent months and for good reason. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about one-third of all food produced in the world for human consumption – approximately 1.3 billion metric tons – ends up as waste each year.
Western states are often seen as trendsetters in materials recovery. But the latest figures from that part of the country show drops in diversion rates.
A variety of businesses in Oregon were recently awarded grants to boost materials recovery. | bleakstar/Shutterstock
An Oregon agency has awarded $5.6 million in grants to bolster recycling and composting infrastructure serving the Portland area.
UBQ currently operates in Israel but is eyeing Virginia as a possible location for a large-scale facility. | Courtesy of UBQ Materials
A nascent company that makes a composite material from the non-recycled waste stream is looking to site a processing plant in the U.S.
For this study Oregon researchers focused on the problem of people discarding their once-edible food. | Alina Rosanova/Shutterstock
RRS recently worked with the Washington, D.C. Department of Public Works to research the feasibility of adding curbside compost collection to the municipality’s existing recycling program and identified several economic and environmental benefits.
High participation could be expected if carts were deployed universally, education materials were provided with the cart, and residents were given financial incentivizes to divert waste via a pay-as-you-throw or rewards program.
Data Corner is compiled monthly by recycling consultancy RRS.
This article originally appeared in the January 2018 issue of Resource Recycling. Subscribe today for access to all print content.
Congress has passed legislation that supports food waste reduction and composting efforts.
