Model PAYT Ordinance Helps Cities Reduce Trash and Increase Recycling
Compost Waste Recycle
Linda Breggin
Jessica Sugarman
Darby Hoover
Wednesday, November 29, 2023

NRDC and the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) recently released a Model Ordinance Establishing a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Program for Residential Municipal Solid Waste that can help municipalities reduce the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) sent to landfills and incinerators and, at the same time, institute more transparent, efficient, and fair pricing for residential waste management. 

A Toolkit for Implementing Share Tables in Municipal Schools
Author
Linda Breggin
Sarah Backer
Margaret Badding
Jessica Sugarman
Date Released
September 2023
Front cover of a toolkit for share tables in municipal schools.

Share tables, also known as “sharing tables,” are designated areas within schools where students can place or return whole or unopened food and drinks they do not want. Students who want additional food can enjoy the items during the meal service at no cost. Accordingly, share table programs can help reduce food waste while enabling students from food-insecure households to access healthy foods more easily. Many schools across the country have instituted share tables.

Model Executive Order on Municipal Leadership on Food Waste Reduction: With and Without Commentaries
Author
Linda Breggin
Darby Hoover
Jessica Sugarman
Date Released
June 2023
document with the title "model executive order on municipal leadership on food waste reduction"
Model Executive Order on Municipal Leadership on Food Waste Reduction

Given the large amount of food that some municipalities procure and the many people that they employ, the impact of food waste reduction measures in municipal operations can be substantial and far-reaching. For example, New York City purchases $500 million worth of food each year and employs around 325,000 people across dozens of agencies.

Model Executive Order Helps Cities Lead by Example to Reduce Food Waste 
Bell Peppers
Linda Breggin
Jessica Sugarman
Darby Hoover
Friday, June 2, 2023

A new Model Executive Order on Municipal Leadership on Food Waste Reduction developed by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) can help municipalities reduce the amount of food wasted throughout municipal operations, highlight the importance of reducing food waste, and demonstrate food waste reduction measures that businesses and o

Mandatory Reporting for Large Food Waste Generators: Background Memorandum
Author
Linda Breggin
Darby Hoover
Jessie Sugarman
Date Released
July 2022
Cover - Mandatory Reporting for Large Food Waste Generators - Background Memorandum

Up to 40 percent of food in the United States is wasted—and 95 percent is disposed of in landfills or incinerated. Diverting food waste from landfills by preventing food waste, donating surplus food, and recycling food scraps can help municipalities achieve waste reduction and climate mitigation goals. However, many municipalities do not have data on the food wasted in their jurisdictions. Requiring organizations and companies that produce large amounts of food waste to report their waste is an important first step in reducing that waste.

Model Ordinance on Mandatory Reporting for Large Food Waste Generators With Commentaries
Author
Linda Breggin
Darby Hoover
Jessie Sugarman
Date Released
July 2022
Cover - Model Ordinance on Mandatory Reporting for Large Food Waste Generators - with commentaries

Up to 40 percent of food in the United States is wasted—and 95 percent is disposed of in landfills or incinerated. Diverting food waste from landfills by preventing food waste, donating surplus food, and recycling food scraps can help municipalities achieve waste reduction and climate mitigation goals. However, many municipalities do not have data on the food wasted in their jurisdictions. Requiring organizations and companies that produce large amounts of food waste to report their waste is an important first step in reducing that waste.

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