In Santa Cruz County, food is the largest component of the waste stream for food handling businesses. For most restaurants and grocery stores, 40-75% of total waste is food scraps. Three options for diverting food scraps are described below.
Financial and technical assistance for food scrap diversion projects is available to businesses located in the unincorporated area of the county or the city of Scotts Valley. Under a County contract, Organic Recyclers Anonymous (ORA) is available to advise and help set up food scrap collection or on-site composting systems for large and small businesses. ORA can also help match up a food-handling business with a charitable organization that seeks donations of edible food for redistribution or a livestock operation seeking animal feed.
COMPOST COLLECTION PROGRAM
Food scraps, soiled paper and wax-coated cardboard (Download Poster) are collected from restaurants and other businesses, transported by Green Waste Recovery to the compost area at the County’s Buena Vista Landfill and converted into compost.
FOOD DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
Businesses are encouraged to donate edible food to community organizations who distribute food to those in need. California’s Good Samaritan Law ensures liability protection for such donations.
ON-SITE COMPOSTING
Some businesses are able to compost their food scraps at their business location. Successful projects include:
Example of three-bin composter for camps
and conference centers
Earth Tubs (In-Vessel Composting Units) in operation at the
California Grey Bears Food Redistribution Center.
Worm Composting (Vermicomposting) bins at Camp Campbell Environmental Education Center.
For information on financial or technical assistance
for food scrap diversion contact:
| Karin Grobe |
Organic
Recyclers Anonymous
Phone: (831) 427-3452
Email |
