Each year, more states, counties, and cities pass new legislation on what can and cannot go in the trash. Concerns about landfill space, methane build-up, green and sustainability initiatives, and new organics programs can suddenly shift what you—as a business or even an individual—can put in your garbage. Let’s talk about the types of food waste bans if your state has policies on the books, and how you can plan and transition your business or community to a food waste recycling program with us here at Agri-Cycle.
What Kind of Food Waste Bans are There?
As the overall US policy towards sustainability and reduction of greenhouse gases shifts, many states and local governments are aiming to reduce emissions. While much focus has been on the automotive and industrial sectors, reducing emissions from landfills—especially the potent methane gas—is still ongoing. That’s where these bans come in, reducing the organics in the landfill that can create these greenhouse gases. Your state may be enacting one of these types of food waste bans:
- Large Quantity/Commercial Food Waste Bans: Many states in the list below are placing bans on those businesses that produce large amounts of food waste—usually 50 to 100 tons annually.
- Residential Food Waste Bans: Some bans extend to residents as well, with a focus on removing food waste from individual households’ garbage.
- State-wide or City-wide Bans: Many residential bans or incentives are at the city or county level for large urban centers. Make sure to check if one of your locations or service areas is there.
- Incentive Programs: Some states are instead providing tax breaks and other incentives for food donations or other higher use situations.
Which States are Affected by These Bans?
Agri-Cycle is proud to provide services all up and down the East Coast, with locations from Maine to Maryland. Below is a gallery of our complete service area and the applicable state food waste bans in effect there.
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Want to learn more about the food waste policies in your state? Check out the ReFED Policy Finder made in collaboration with the Food Law and Policy Clinic of Harvard University.
Getting Help with Municipal and Commercial Food Waste
Agri-Cycle is a full-service food collection service that works with businesses and municipalities to quickly enact food waste recycling programs with our partners. We offer container services for use by employees or residents to place food scraps into and then use our extensive truck fleet (including larger bulk transport or liquids) to transport it to one of our anaerobic digestion facilities. Check out testimonials about how our services save businesses money and about our residential drop-off program in Maine.
If you’re working in a state that requires you to remove food waste from your garbage—or if you’re looking for sustainability and future-proofing regardless of bans—we can help. With our large scale of services, and a service area spanning Maine to Maryland, we’re often comparable or cheaper in price to your current waste solutions, and this isn’t even counting the larger costs to the US as a whole. From direct food waste disposal to consultation on your state’s laws, contact Agri-Cycle today to get started by getting a quote or calling us at 1-800-850-9560.