Food waste is a global issue, with about one-third of all food produced for human consumption lost or wasted around the world.
And while this may seem like a distant issue for some, food waste in the United States, as well as in our local communities, is equally a problem. In the U.S., approximately 133 billion pounds of food are wasted each year, with Massachusetts alone contributing to over 1 million tons of food waste per year.
As the biggest city in Massachusetts, food waste in Boston is an important topic in the fight against this growing issue. Keep reading to explore Boston’s role in waste reduction efforts, where we’ll discuss local regulations, food waste disposal in Boston, and tips for managing waste.
Key Takeaways
- Massachusetts was ranked by LawnStarter as the least wasteful state in the United States, standing out for its food donation efforts and high number of food waste solution providers and composting facilities.
- The Commercial Food Material Disposal Ban prohibits the disposal of commercial organic waste by businesses and institutions in Massachusetts that generate a half-ton or more of these materials per week.
- The Zero Waste Boston Initiative aims to divert 80% of the city’s waste stream from landfills and incinerators by 2035 through planning, policies, and community engagement. To support this goal, there are zero waste resources for businesses to help them reduce solid waste and improve sustainability efforts.
- The Curbside Food Waste Collection program has been a crucial strategy for minimizing residential food waste, providing free curbside Boston food waste collection services that turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil and clean energy. Since being implemented, this program has collected over 800 tons of curbside food waste at no cost to residents.
- Project Oscar has 24-hour community food waste drop-offs available in 14 locations around Boston. Food waste that is collected through this project is composted and then sold to garden centers around New England, as well as in bulk to farmers and gardeners.
Boston Food Waste Statistics
In 2022, Massachusetts produced 1.64 million tons of surplus food across all sectors, with the residential sector producing 1.07 million tons, food services generating 281 thousand tons, and retail contributing 130 thousand tons of food waste. Of the total waste, 15.7% was sent to landfills, 32.5% was incinerated, and 27.8% was composted.
While there are not many food waste statistics for Boston specifically, a study by LawnStarter ranked Massachusetts as the least wasteful state in the United States. Considered a pioneer in reducing food waste, Massachusetts stands out for its food donation efforts and high number of food waste solution providers and composting facilities, placing it as the top state for repurposed food waste.
To support Massachusetts’ sustainability efforts, various Boston food waste programs have emerged to reduce the environmental, economic, and social implications of food waste. Keep reading to learn more about the laws and regulations that are currently in place.
Local Food Waste Regulations
As a leader in food waste reduction efforts, Massachusetts sets the standards for many state and city regulations, showcasing effective strategies for addressing the complications of food waste. Keep reading to learn what the state of Massachusetts is doing to enhance sustainability efforts and how Boston food waste programs facilitate participation for households and businesses.
State Laws on Food Waste
Food waste regulations in the U.S. play an important role in driving waste reduction efforts. That said, food waste state by state differs, meaning companies and individuals may be subject to different requirements depending on their location.
As a low-waste state, Massachusetts has its own innovative goals and laws that contribute to large-scale participation and change. One of the laws that have been in place since 2014 is the Commercial Food Material Disposal Ban, which was passed to ban the disposal of commercial organic waste by businesses and institutions that generate one ton or more of these materials per week.
To further these efforts, the threshold was lowered in 2022 to a half-ton or more weekly, requiring more widespread participation. Since its implementation in 2014, the disposal ban has created hundreds of well-paying jobs, increased the Gross State Product by some $77 million, and generated more than $5 million in state and local tax revenue.
In addition, this law contributes to the waste reduction goals set by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), which were announced in 2021. Under the 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan, the state aims to reduce disposal statewide by 30 percent over the next decade, with a long-term goal of achieving a 90 percent reduction in disposal by 2050.
Boston City Regulations
The Zero Waste Boston Initiative aims to divert 80% of the city’s waste stream from landfills and incinerators by 2035 through planning, policies, and community engagement. To support this goal, there are zero waste resources for businesses, including toolkits for different business types, to help them reduce solid waste and improve sustainability efforts.
These toolkits were created with the help of RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts, a free recycling assistance program for businesses and institutions looking to recycle and reduce their waste. By helping organizations reduce waste and maximize recycling, reuse, and food recovery opportunities, RecyclingWorks has proven to be a valuable resource in reducing food waste in Boston.
In addition, many city-supported programs have emerged to help reach waste reduction targets. Of these, the Curbside Food Waste Collection program has been a crucial strategy for minimizing residential food waste. Launched in 2022, this program has free curbside waste collection services that turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil and clean energy. Due to its early success, this program quickly expanded its capacity from servicing 10,000 households to 30,000.
Since being implemented, this program has collected over 800 tons of curbside food waste at no cost to residents. Mayor Wu discusses its effectiveness, stating, “The strong interest in our pilot program gave us a clear sign that residents are eager to participate in curbside food waste collection if the resources are available.”
Since this program is only available for residents who live in buildings with six units or fewer, Project Oscar was established to serve residents who live in larger buildings. Project Oscar has 24-hour community food waste drop-offs available in 14 locations around Boston. Food waste that is collected through this project is composted and then sold to garden centers around New England, as well as in bulk to farmers and gardeners.
How to Manage Food Waste in Boston: Guidelines for Residents
Participating in a Boston food waste program helps reduce landfill use, minimizes the environmental consequences of waste, and contributes to local composting efforts. As mentioned, the Curbside Food Waste Collection program and Project Oscar are two programs that are tailored to residential waste, making them great solutions for households across Boston. Here’s a deeper exploration of how they work:
Curbside Food Waste Collection Program
If you live in a building with 6 units or fewer, we recommend taking advantage of the Curbside Food Waste Collection program. Through this Boston food waste collection service, participants can recycle all their food scraps, paper towels, and other compostable items, which are picked up weekly on trash day.
This program accepts:
- All food items
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Eggs, eggshells, and egg cartons
- Grains, pasta, and bread
- Wax and parchment paper
- Yogurt, ice cream, cheese, and butter
- Meat and seafood (including raw)
- Bones and shells
- Napkins and paper towels
For the full list, click here.
Additionally, this program comes with a starter kit that includes a kitchen container, a roll of compostable liners, a curbside bin, and educational materials. To help households get started, they offer various tips for participants, advising them to place the container where the most household food waste is produced, to take the waste to the curbside bin daily, and to select a convenient location for the curbside bin, ensuring it is accessible and protected from rain and snow.
If you reside in Boston and want to sign up for this program, click here, fill out your name and zip code, and they will contact you via email when you can join the program.
Project Oscar:
Project Oscar is an effective food waste management program that targets residents that don’t qualify for the Curbside Food Waste Collection program. With 14 locations around Boston, residents can deposit food waste in bins, where it’s collected and brought to composting sites in Manchester, Groton, and Framingham, MA.
The following items can be composted at Project Oscar:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps, peelings, pits, and seeds
- Eggshells and nutshells
- Bread, pastries, cookies
- Coffee grounds and coffee filters
- Cut or dry flowers
- Napkins, paper towels, paper plates, paper bags
- Wine corks
- Wooden coffee stirrers
For the complete list of acceptable items, visit their site.
Food Waste Recycling in Boston: Guidelines for Businesses
Proper food waste management offers businesses multiple benefits, such as a reduced environmental footprint, decreased costs associated with waste disposal, and improved resource utilization. Aside from the resources and toolkits available to businesses, there are additional strategies that can be implemented to reduce waste.
This includes:
- Conducting a food waste audit: Food waste audits analyze waste generation in supply chains, identifying how much waste is being generated, where, and what kind. By conducting a food waste audit, companies can create tailored waste reduction strategies that address their unique challenges and goals.
- Creating a waste reduction approach: Businesses should explore the various waste management approaches available to them, such as composting, donating, turning food waste into animal feed, and more. A comprehensive strategy should also include creating a plan for waste collection in business settings, such as setting up separate bins for food scraps and training employees on the importance of reducing waste.
- Improving inventory management: Improved inventory management helps businesses save money by reducing the risk of perishable foods expiring before they are sold. Businesses can leverage advanced technology to help match supply with demand, therefore enhancing operations.
- Getting involved in donation programs: Donating surplus food helps reduce landfill use while increasing food security in your community, making it a valuable approach in the fight against food waste. By partnering with a food donation organization, you can ensure surplus food reaches those in need and potentially take advantage of tax deductions.
- Working with a waste management company: To ensure compliance with food waste laws and regulations, companies can work with an experienced waste management company like Shapiro to manage waste in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way.
Food Waste Tax Deductions in Boston
Reducing food waste in Boston not only has long-lasting environmental benefits but also offers significant economic incentives for businesses, including potential tax breaks. For businesses that are exploring this opportunity for the first time, many wonder: Is food waste really tax deductible?
Yes, there are both federal and state laws that promote food donations throughout the United States. On a federal level, the Internal Revenue Code 170 has been a critical factor in improving donation efforts. This law provides enhanced tax deductions to businesses, encouraging donations of fit and wholesome food to qualified nonprofit organizations serving the poor and needy. Under this law, qualified business taxpayers can deduct the cost to produce the food and half the difference between the cost and the full fair market value of the donated food.
In Massachusetts, businesses can also benefit from state-specific tax deductions for food waste donations. The Charitable Contribution Deduction allows all Massachusetts taxpayers to deduct charitable contributions from their state taxes, even if they do not itemize deductions on their federal tax return.
To fully take advantage of tax incentives, businesses should stay up to date with changing regulations and work with a waste management company to ensure compliance.
Composting Programs and Cooked Food Waste Disposal in Boston
Composting food waste has several environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved soil fertility and structure, higher yields in agriculture, and a reduced need for water, pesticides, and fertilizers. In addition, composting opens the opportunity for businesses to create new revenue streams, allowing them to sell high-quality compost for agricultural use.
As mentioned, there are multiple city-wide composting programs in Boston. The Curbside Food Waste Collection program, which is the city of Boston’s food waste pickup service, is a reliable and free program provided to qualifying residential units. Project Oscar’s compost bins are also strategically placed around the city to encourage participation, granting residents 24/7 access to conveniently drop off their food scraps.
By diverting food from landfills and fighting food waste with a circular economy, these programs support the city’s waste reduction goals. If you’re interested in getting involved, make sure to review the specific requirements of each program, which outline which food items are accepted and how you can get involved.
The Importance of Proper Food Waste Disposal in Boston
There are many environmental, economic, and social benefits of reducing food waste, including:
- Reduced landfill use
- Decreased greenhouse gas emissions
- Conservation of resources
- Reduced pollution
- Preservation of biodiversity
- Lower waste disposal costs
- Tax savings through deductions
- Increased food security
Due to the variety of benefits, reducing food waste in Boston is a high priority in sustainability efforts. That said, participating in citywide waste reduction programs is crucial for residents and businesses alike. By adopting eco-friendly practices, everyone can contribute to a more sustainable future for the city.
The Bottom Line
To address Boston food waste, various programs have emerged, including food waste disposal in Boston and Boston food waste programs. That said, many businesses require tailored waste reduction strategies to address their unique goals and requirements.
At Shapiro, we understand the importance of developing customized waste management solutions that align with the specific needs of each business. To streamline waste reduction efforts, we provide commercial food waste management services that help businesses comply with local regulations and take advantage of tax incentives.
To learn more about our services, contact us today.
Boston Food Waste FAQ
Food waste that is diverted from landfills is often sent to composting facilities to create nutrient-rich soil or recycled by anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy.
In 2022, Massachusetts produced 1.64 million tons of surplus food across all sectors.
Boston generates around 1,156,000 tons of waste every year.
There are multiple food waste management programs, regulations, and incentives to raise awareness and provide valuable resources to households and businesses.
The Commercial Food Material Disposal Ban prohibits the disposal of commercial organic waste by businesses and institutions in Massachusetts that generate more than one-half ton or more of these materials per week. To support this ban, many Boston food waste programs and Boston food waste collection services have been established.
A variety of food waste items are accepted in Boston’s Curbside Food Waste Collection Program, including meat and seafood, coffee grounds and filters, eggs, eggshells, and egg cartons, napkins and paper towels, and more. For the full list, click here.
Baily Ramsey, an accomplished marketing specialist, brings a unique blend of anthropological insight and marketing finesse to the digital landscape. Specializing in educational content creation, she creates content for various industries, with a particular interest in environmental initiatives.
