California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

Food Scrap Management

Food Scrap Reduction Case Studies

Food Scrap Diversion Contracts

In 2000, pilot food scrap diversion programs were implemented in several school cafeterias, a food bank, and a large outdoor venue that hosts concerts and national tennis matches. Each program experienced its own successes and challenges. In several cases, the collection of food scraps was a precursor to collecting other recyclables.

The City of San Francisco Recycling Program implemented food scrap collection programs at five local schools. The four participating elementary schools diverted a total of 1700 pounds of organic waste per week. The fifth school, a private high school, was able to reduce the number of bins used for collection by 50 percent. With the help of the program's subcontractor, each of the schools designed a food scrap program that encompassed education, outreach, organics collection for offsite composting, and some vermicomposting.
Final report (PDF, 113 KB)

The Davis Joint Unified School District piloted comprehensive food waste diversion projects at three elementary schools. Two schools reduced their total waste stream by at least 40 percent. The third school has the potential to decrease its waste stream by 20 percent if the program continues. The programs included: a switch to the "offer versus serve" method to serve food, food rescue efforts, recycling, and the collection of organic waste for on-site composting and vermicomposting systems. The contract accomplished the goals of integrating the composting and vermicomposting systems into the school garden program, as part of a larger farm-to-school vision.
Final report (Adobe PDF, 168 KB)

The West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority and one elementary school piloted a food scraps reduction program that included extensive recycling training. The program involved the separation of lunch waste materials in the cafeteria for offsite composting; the experimental use of biodegradable utensils, and some recycling of aluminum lunch trays. Unfortunately, although the school cafeteria was able to reduce its waste up to 40 percent, the program was not continued into the next school year.
Final report (Adobe PDF, 2.2 MB)

The Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works, in partnership with the California Grey Bears and Organic Recyclers Anonymous, set up two Earth Tub™ in-vessel composting systems at the California Grey Bears’ food bank in Santa Cruz. Earth Tubs™ are a mid-scale composting option, appropriate for grocery stores, restaurants, and institutions generating 50 or more pounds of food scraps per day. The program diverted over 11 tons of food scraps from the landfill and it is projected that 28.91 tons could be diverted annually. As an added benefit, the compost that was generated from the Earth Tubs™ was made available for volunteers to use and as a salable item for the facility. Final report (Adobe PDF, 673 KB)

The City of Indian Wells, in coordination with the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens and EcoNomics, Inc., piloted a food scrap diversion program at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens. Food scraps were collected for offsite composting, and the finished compost was used at the Tennis Gardens. The project provided data on the costs, benefits, diversion potential, and viability of a very large-scale food scrap diversion program. This facility is located on 189 acres and has stadium seating for more than 16,000 guests. In addition to the Tennis Masters Series (with an attendance in 2001 of more 190,000 for the two-week event), the project diverted food scraps from two additional one-night concert events totaling more than eight tons. In all cases, for the three different events, food scrap diversion proved to be both feasible and economically viable.
Final report (Adobe PDF, 100 KB). Video: (Windows Media, 6 minutes)

Exerpts: Best Practices in Waste Reduction Video New(posted October 2009)

Below are chapters 1, 11, and 12 from the Board's 12-chapter video on Best Practices in Waste Reduction (WIndows Media Video: 282 Kbps). All chapters are on YouTube and our Video Central training page.

Reducing waste can save you money, conserve energy and resources, and reduce air, soil, and water pollution. The Best Practices in Waste Reduction video shows you real options for recycling, reducing, or reusing solid waste products. Helping promote California’s development of markets for recyclable materials is part of our mission. We can help you with technical, financial, and permitting assistance. Please feel free to contact the Board's Office of Public Affairs for more information. (2009)

Waste Reduction Awards Program Winners

The Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) provides an opportunity for California businesses and nonprofit organizations to gain public recognition for their outstanding waste reduction efforts and lets the community know your business takes waste reduction seriously. Many food service industry businesses have been recognized with WRAP awards.

For information on WRAP winners in the food service industry, search the California Integrated Waste Management Board's (Board) WRAP database. Under "Business Type" choose "Manufacturing--Food/Beverage" or "Services--Food/Beverage."

Reuse Grant Recipients

The Board educates and motivates people to approach material reuse as the first option in diverting unwanted materials from California landfills by offering a competitive grant program for local public agencies. For information on food scrap management Reuse Grant recipients, the Board provides a list of reuse organization profiles.

Note: The Board posts available federal, State or regional loans, grants, or contracts for food diversion as they become available,

Additional Case Studies

Don't Throw Away That Food, published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, highlights nine food diversion programs at institutions, schools, and businesses.