Food Waste Reduction and Composting

Reducing food waste and composting go hand in hand. The benefits include resource conservation, cost savings, a significant reduction in the waste stream, and "black gold" - rich compost for gardens and plantings of all sizes, from apartment renters to homeowners, governments, institutions, and farmers.

REDUCING FOOD WASTE

Just as improving energy efficiency is one of the easiest and least costly means of stretching our energy resources, reducing food waste saves money and removes a significant volume (some estimates are as high as 30%) from the waste stream. This is critical because Massachusetts ships almost half its trash out of state for processing - as far as Alabama, Ohio, and Michigan. This increases costs for everyone and puts us in a vulnerable position in case any of the receiving states stop accepting our trash.

Numerous resources exist to help you reduce food waste. For example, this year’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Guide for Franklin and Hampshire counties has several relevant articles. And a December 19, 2024 article in the Berkshire Edge by Committee Chair Peter Hofman has practical tips and cites useful resources. Click here for a PDF of the article.

We've tried addressing the food waste issue by working with experts on methods to cut back on the amount of food waste we generate and by promoting composting. 

Our biggest single initiative has been our ongoing effort to have Founders Weekend be a zero waste event. Last year we diverted 90% of the waste to recycling and composting, including about 500 pounds of compostables! As explained below, we need many volunteers to continue this effort. While we met our goal by the end of May, we expect some people will have to cancel, so if you're interested in helping out, please contact us.

Help us reach zero waste during Founders Weekend - signn up by Mary 31st

Another significant effort involved a food waste webinar in May 2020. The information is still relevant today. The webinar involved a collaboration among the Lee Chamber of Commerce, Lee Greener Gateway Committee, Recycling Works, the Berkshire Zero Waste Program, and representatives from local businesses. It's worth your time because what you learn could help you and the planet. Reducing and separating food waste offers significant benefits - not only to food service providers by potentially lowering costs, but also to solid waste disposal systems and the environment. At least a couple of restaurants in Lee have diverted food waste from their trash, and more disposal opportunities and resources exist than ever before to help you reduce and productively dispose of your food waste. Learn about all this and more. Click here for the webinar recording and here for the slides. We hope you find the webinar useful. After watching the webinar, if you would like help in addressing your food waste, reach out to one or more of the webinar participants, whose contact information appears in the last slide. 

COMPOSTING

You might ask what the big deal is about food waste and why composting is important. To get a few answers, please look at this Why Compost graphic

Here's some information to help you get started or continue what you've been doing:

  • Composting has multiple benefits to those who do it and to the planet. It's easy - you can even do it indoors - and there are tons of resources available to help you get started and become proficient. Here are a few links tha are reliable - pick one (or a couple) and get started (if you have a question you can't find the answer to, just contact Peter - [email protected], Valerie - [email protected], or Katherine Miller - [email protected].
  • Composting in Lee: learn HERE the latest information about a the greatly enhanced FREE 24/7/365 food waste drop-off service at Meadow Farm available to Lee residents. Meadow Farm and the Greener Gateway Committee collaborate to provide this service. The shed (pictured here) is located outside the Meadow Farm gate on Meadow Street 1 1/2 miles south of the Big Y off TyringhMeadow Farm Food Waste Dropoff Shedam Road.
    • THE TOTAL VOLUME OF FOOD WASTE DROPPED OFF SINCE THE SHED WAS INSTALLED IN MID-2024 THROUGH MAY WAS ALMOST 7 TONS!
    • NEWS FLASH: EGG CARTONS AND PIZZA BOXES CAN NO LONGER BE DISPOSED OF IN THE SHED. NOTE: YOU CAN RECYCLE PIZZA BOXES - REMOVE THE FOOD.
    • Lee residents may purchase compost bins and pails at a discount - THE BINS ARE GREATLY DISCOUNTED! Non Lee residents may purchase the bins at cost, which is below commercial market prices. Here's a video on how to put together your compost bin.