Food Waste Reduction and Yard Debris/Food Composting
Food Waste Reduction in Homes
An estimated 25 to 40 percent of all food produced or imported for consumption in the United States is never eaten, that’s as much as 63 million tons of wasted food. In Oregon, food contributes close to 15 percent of our consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste has multiple environmental, economic and social benefits, and is a relatively low-cost pathway for lowering emissions.
Start with the 5 tips reduce your household's food waste.
1. Shop with meals in mind — Make a list with meals in mind and only get what you think you’ll use. Try to avoid “deals” if you won’t end up eating what you buy. Check out the meal planning apps from Spruce Eats.
2. Prep now and eat later — Prepare ingredients in advance to save time, effort and money. Try cooking several meals at once and freezing the rest for a later date. If you notice something going bad, make a soup or freeze individual ingredients.
3. Keep it fresh — Store fruits and vegetables where they will last the longest.
4. Eat what you buy — Use up leftovers and ingredients on hand before you buy more. Create an “Eat this first” section in your fridge.
5. Measure your wasted food — Measure how much food your family wastes over four weeks. You might be surprised!
Sign up for Rethink Waste Food Waste Challenge. A free, 4 week home challenge designed to help you find out what– and how much– food is going to waste in your home. You will receive one email per week with tips and tricks on how to reduce your wasted food.
Check out some additional tips and guidance - Save The Food
Food Waste Reduction in Businesses
Make a difference with the food you serve by rethinking how you manage your kitchen and handle food scraps. By reducing food waste and sorting scraps effectively, you can lower costs, benefit the environment, and enhance your business’s impact.
The restaurant industry is in a unique position to help reduce the amount of food that goes into the trash. An operation can end up throwing out 4% to 10% of the food it purchases. The first step is always the hardest. Build a plan and get started. Check out the resources for reducing and managing food waste through the National Resturant Association.
Tips for Successful Food Donation
Build Relationships: Connect with local food donation organizations to understand their needs and the types of food they accept.
Communicate in Advance: Always call ahead to coordinate pickups or drop-offs.
Donate Usable Food: Ensure donations are in good condition to avoid burdening organizations with disposal.
Regular Donations: Aim for consistent, larger donations rather than small, infrequent ones. Consider giving small quantities to employees.
Label and Track: Collaborate with donation partners to establish systems for labeling and tracking contributions.
Liability and Tax Incentives
Federal and state laws protect you from liability when you donate food that you believe to be safe and edible (Bill Emerson Food Donation Act and Oregon Good Samaritan Law).
Businesses are eligible for federal tax deductions for donated food. Work with your accountant or business manager for financial advice.
Where to donate food
The Giving Plate - 541-797-6883
Neighbor Impact - 541-233-7252
FOOD TO GOOD TO GO
This app is the world's largest marketplace for surplus food. It help users rescue good food from going to waste, offering great value for money at local stores, cafes and restaurants.
Here's how it works:
Restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and other food-related establishments can list unsold food that would otherwise go to waste. This could include items nearing their expiration date or leftovers at the end of the day.
Users of the app can browse available surplus food in their area, purchase it at a significantly reduced price, and pick it up within a specified time window.
The app helps reduce food waste, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes sustainability by ensuring food is eaten rather than discarded.
Items are typically sold at a fraction of their original cost, making it an affordable way for users to enjoy quality food.
Yard Debris and Commercial Food Waste Composting
Composting food and yard waste benefits the environment and can save you money. Did you know that nearly 35% of what ends up in landfills is organic waste, including yard debris, food scraps, and food-soiled paper?
By composting, you’re choosing a more affordable and eco-friendly option. Organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. Composting, on the other hand, transforms this waste into nutrient-rich compost that supports healthy soil and thriving plants.
If you don't have the time or inclination to compost at home, you can compost through your yard debris bin: your garbage service will pick up your yard debris and ANY leftover food scraps and turn it into compost at a local facility at Knott Landfill.
Composting Service Provided by the Waste Haulers
In Deschutes County composting service are available for households and business in Bend, Sisters and Redmond city limits ONLY.
To learn more and sign up for yard debris/food composting or commercial business composting in Bend, Sisters or Redmond with Republic Services, please check out the information flier.
To learn more and sign up for yard debris/food composting or commercial business composting in Bend with Cascade Disposal, please check out the information flier for yard debris and commercial food composting.
Republic Services - 541-382-2263
Cascade Disposal - 541-382-6660
