By Kate Worley
Making the Business Case for Food Waste Recycling
Food waste and loss is a topic that is now being recognized for its impacts economically, socially, and environmentally. For businesses that sell food products, after a focus on prevention, upcycling and donation, recycling should be the next step in responsibly managing wasted food. Employees may also be personally invested and purpose-driven to reduce waste, and seeing wasted food every day becomes that impetus to champion food waste recycling initiatives. However, not all businesses have organics recycling programs, and employees that want to recycle food waste might struggle to get buy-in from others in the organization. The following are tips and tricks to help build out your business case for food waste recycling.
Common Stakeholders
Before getting buy-in, it is important to understand all of the stakeholders at play in your company, what is important to them, how their role influences your business decisions, and whether they can help or hinder you in the process. In most companies, there is a delicate dance within and among corporate and field functions, including but not limited to Operations, Procurement, Merchants, Real Estate, Facilities Management, Corporate Sustainability, Store Employees, and Store Management. Customizing your messaging to fit each person’s role as you socialize your “food recycling” concept will help build your case.
About Food Waste
In building your business case, there are a few nuggets of information about food waste you might want to keep in mind as you continue reading below. Food waste is somewhat unique as compared to other waste streams you might be managing at your business.
- Food is heavy, wet, and can have an odor.
- Food waste is naturally organic, biodegradable, and compostable.
- Unlike other recycled waste streams, food waste is usually managed through a priority decision tree for employees that, after preventing waste, includes upcycling, donation, and then recycling.
- When landfilled, food waste accounts for 58% of all methane emitted from municipal landfills, which are the third largest emitters of methane in the U.S.²
Benefits of Food Waste Recycling
Since you are already a champion of food waste recycling, you might be thinking, “I know food waste recycling is a good thing, but I’m not sure how to communicate this to stakeholders in my company.” Let’s talk about benefits of recycling that can help build your business case.
- Reduces expenses related to food waste in the compactor including haul/disposal costs, equipment maintenance, and spill cleanup. Alternately, if your business has trash dumpster service rather than a compactor, you should be able to “right size” your container and/or reduce service frequency, which will reduce overall expenses. Keep in mind that, when looking at your program costs, some of these might be managed through different departments and accounts.
- Reduces the amount of labor- and related expenses -needed to manage food waste. This is especially true if employees don’t have to depackage food waste on site. The reallocation of time allows employees to focus on more value-add tasks that serve customers.
- Recycling data provides allows for improved upstream management of food – prevention, upcycling, and recovery. Food recycling is a key part of a comprehensive waste reduction program. Ultimately, using data to drive upstream reduction should save your business money.
- Food waste legislation is increasing. Implementing a food waste recycling program will make sure your business is in compliance with current legislation and will help get ahead of future mandates.
- Contributes to corporate waste goals, sustainability initiatives, and ESG reporting. Recycling food waste is just part of a company’s goals and initiatives, but it can play a key role in meeting targets, reducing emissions, and being a better corporate citizen.
How to take action:
- Research food waste recycling and trash so you understand the how the industry works, your company’s waste management processes, and waste-related expenses.
- Begin socializing food waste recycling with colleagues. Determine the key stakeholders and who will help – and hinder – you in this process.
- Educate your colleagues on the waste industry and your company’s waste management programs.
- Build your business case. Customize your message to align with what is important to each stakeholder.
- Engage a trusted service provider and partner to help you build your business case – and to ultimately provide food waste recycling services when you are successful in gaining support.
If you are a business or manufacturer that would like to learn more about recycling your food byproducts or other organic waste streams, contact Denali for more information. We can help you set up a customized program to fit your service needs, organic waste streams, and provide the best value.
About Denali
Denali is a leading expert and recycler in the U.S. organics recycling industry. In food waste alone, Denali was responsible for managing over 1.7 billion pounds of food waste from retail, foodservice, and industrial food processors in 2023. In recognizing the impact that food waste has on the climate, Denali is committed to working with customers to find innovative, data-driven solutions to reduce waste on the front end. Denali views what others consider “waste” as a valuable resource, manages multiple recycling facilities in the U.S., and has a sizeable fleet to transport organic wastes to a diverse network of recyclers. As a contributor to the circular economy, Denali closes the loop by producing valuable products from recycled organics, including animal feed, biodiesel, compost, tire lubricants, and mulch.
K
ate Worley is Vice President of Sustainability at Denali. She has worked for more than a decade with some of the largest companies in the world to drive sustainability and reduce waste.