It’s the job of your cafeteria to feed hungry people—whether you’re providing school lunches to all ages of students, or you’re serving meals at hospitals, organizations, and businesses. But with all that food comes a lot of food waste. If you’re here on this blog, chances are it’s become a problem—logistically, ethically, or financially—that needs solving. Thankfully, we at Agri-Cycle can show you how we work with our partners up and down the east coast to reduce cafeteria food waste, close the sustainability loop, reduce food waste work, and even save you money.
Why Partner with a Food Waste Recycler?
There are several reasons to partner with a food waste disposal company, but for many, it will come down to three major pushes:
- Better Sustainability: Perhaps your business or state (in the case of food waste bans) is making an effort for more sustainable landfill practices. With Agri-Cycle, food waste is recycled into power, products, and food for hungry cows using Anaerobic Digestion.
- Lower Cost: Many are surprised that a specialized service like food waste recycling can actually save businesses money in the long run. As “tip fees” and other landfill charges continue to rise, the price of food waste recycling is only going down.
- Less Hassle: Staff will be the first to tell you how much weight food waste adds to the trash. With our toter bins (or other containers), you can say goodbye to the hassle of lugging around heavy trash bags or heaving them into the dumpster or compactor. Just park them outside when they are ready.
Best Practices for Using Our Food Waste Program
Interested? Let’s talk about the last big step: getting your business ready to work with Agri-Cycle. Since the recycling process relies on your employees sorting out food waste into approved containers, it requires some best practices to make sure the partnership works.
Get Staff Trained on What Can Go in Agri-Cycle Totes
We work with many different organizations, from large food processors and grocers to municipalities. We keep our system as easy as possible, allowing all kinds of food waste, including eggshells and coffee grounds. Only yard debris, medical waste, and chemicals are not allowed. We even allow food waste in packaging. See our blog, How to Get Started with Food Waste Best Practices for Our Totes, for the full rundown and signage.
Make Sure to Have Enough Bins to Reduce Barriers
As important as it is to ensure staff know how to use bins properly, it’s also critical to have enough bins available for staff to easily separate out food waste. Easy access to bins allows staff to do the right thing every time. Lower barriers by having bins at each station for kitchen staff—such as a container by the prep area, a container by the dish room, etc.
We’re proud to not only provide tools for sustainability, but also help you stop food loss with higher-use options like donations when available. We’ve helped cafeterias of all shapes, sizes, and purposes bring food full circle and reduce their food waste. Learn a bit more about our services, and make sure to check out the FAQ! Ready to get started? You can contact us online or give us a call at 1-800-850-9560 today.