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Reducing Food Waste
Reducing food waste is good for Milwaukie's environment and saves you money.
The Milwaukie community cares about the environment and creating sustainable waste management. Food waste reduction is also a strategy to meet our goals in the Milwaukie Community Climate Action Plan.
Why Reduce Food Waste?
- Food is the single largest component of garbage in the Portland metropolitan region.
- About 20% of the 1.3 million tons of trash generated per year is food scraps, and over half of those come from businesses.
- Reducing food waste is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of our food system and feed our communities. It also saves your business money, in purchasing and disposal costs.
What can you do to reduce food waste?
In the Home:
- Plan your family's meals to avoid over-purchasing produce and food and expiration dates. Click here to learn how to meal plan to reduce food waste and save your dollars from going in the garbage.
- Compost the food waste you create to divert it from the waste stream and create nutrient dense compost for your garden or community.
- Donate excess food to a local organization or food bank. Click here to learn more about donating to the Oregon Food Bank, or visit the Clackamas County Food Donation FAQ page to learn more.
In the Workplace:
Food Waste Stops With Me is a regional collaboration between city and county governments in the Portland area, Metro, DEQ and Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association showcasing and supporting food-service businesses in reducing food waste. From online videos and resources to in-person seminars this campaign helps connect businesses to a local waste reduction specialist and to learn from local food waste reduction champions in their industry.
New Food Waste Requirement begins in March 2022 and many businesses across the Metro-region will need to begin separating food waste for compost by 2023. All businesses generating more than one 60-gallon roll cart of food scraps per week will be required to separate food scraps and keep them out of the landfill.
Free support (www.clackamas.us/recycling/work) is available from Clackamas County sustainability advisors to help with setting up a compost program, donating surplus food, and preventing food waste. Visit Clackamas County food waste webpage to learn more, schedule a consultation or request free assistance and ask questions.
Learn How Milwaukie and Portland Businesses are Reducing Food Waste
- The Bomber Restaurant and Catering in Milwaukie highlights how to divert food waste from the landfill while saving money and improving company culture. Listen to the Boiled Down podcast: Food Waste Stops With Me.
- Charles Maes from Casa de Tamales, a local Milwaukie restaurant, was featured in the Milwaukie Community Climate Action Plan for working with Clackamas County to compost food scraps and reduce food waste.
- Read how eight Portland businesses are reducing food waste in the community through their business practices.
