Composting / Diversion
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February 29, 2012 - OGA & OGF Board Meetings - Columbus, OH
April 14, 2012 - 2012 OGA Annual Trade Relations Gala - Columbus, OH
Upcoming Deadlines:
CERP: March 31, 2011
2012 OGA Annual Trade Relations Gala - April 14, 2012
Ohio Food Scrap Recovery Network
The Ohio Grocers Foundation (OGF) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) have been working together over the past few years to encourage businesses to divert food scraps from landfills by utilizing composting facilities or anaerobic digesters. The objective of the Ohio Food Scrap Recovery Network is to implement a managed supply chain concept by which food scrap generators (grocery stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other high food scrap generators) can form a network to create route density for cost-effective food scrap recycling.
SW Ohio Food Scrap Recovery Network Meeting (January 27, 2012) Presentations
Purpose of Composting/Diversion
Recycling of organic (biodegradable) materials has the potential to save the retail operation money while conserving valuable natural resources and scarce landfill space. Organic materials (such as fruits, vegetables, bread, meat & cheeses, floral clippings, paper and waxed cardboard) are used to make a valuable soil-like product…compost.
Benefits of Composting/Diversion
Economic Savings – reduce disposal costs and minimize transportation costs Environmental Concerns – diverting organic materials from landfills reduces methane gas and compost replenishes the soil. Builds a Positive Community and Public Relations Image – composting and diversion programs address an increasing public concern for environmental quality.
What Materials are considered Organic and Compostable?
- Vegetable and fruit materials
- Spoiled food products
- Paper towels, paper
- Flowers, plants, soil
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Raw seafood
- Breads and bakery products
- Deli meats, sandwiches
- Cheese and dairy products
- Food preparation scraps
- Inedible grocery and frozen foods
- Wood boxes and wood pieces
- Wet and waxed cardboard
- Raw meat and poultry
- Meat trimmings and rendering
- Fats, oils, and grease
Ohio Grocers Association and Foundation Partners with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
We are so pleased to share the Composting and Diversion Guide. This Guide is the result of 18 months of research on how to best divert organics from the supermarket's waste stream. The purpose of the Guide is to help OGA members to develop and implement an effective food waste collection program. Thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the grant to make the Guide possible!
If you have any questions, please contact Tonya Woodruff at 614/442-5511, ext 7190 or by email at foundation@ohiogrocers.org.
Composting and Diversion Guide Part 1
Composting and Diversion Guide Part 2
U.S. EPA Food Recovery Challenge
Save money and reduce your environmental footprint by joining EPA's Food Recovery Challenge through the WasteWise program.
U.S. EPA Food Waste Recovery Hierarchy
The U.S. EPA developed a food waste recovery hierarchy to emphasize how excess food can be put to productive use. The information can be found at www.epa.gov/wastewise/pubs/needy2.pdf
The Hierarchy is:
- Source Reduction – Reduce the volume of food waste generated
- Feed Hungry People – Donate extra food to food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters
- Feed Animals – Divert food scraps to animal feed
- Industrial Uses – Provide waster oils for rendering and fuel conversion; and food scraps for digestion to recover energy
- Composting – create a nutrient-rich soil amendment
- Landfill/Incineration – last resort for disposal
Ohio Food Scrap Composting Facilities
