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NERC Blog

Don’t Let it Go to Waste

Compostable packaging will play a significant role in achieving the EPA’s food waste reduction goal. While 7% of composters already accept compostable packaging, wider adoption is needed to divert additional material. With proper labeling on packaging through the new How2Compost label, contamination can be reduced.

Designing Waste

According to Lean Manufacturing, Japanese companies refer to waste in business as “Muda”, or “the Seven Wastes”. The two types of Muda that involve what we in the waste business typically term “trash” are: overproduction and defects. However, a substantial volume of business waste results from “rebranding” corporate images and lavish events.

Observations from Volunteering at a Food Bank

Today’s article is by Chaz Miller, Director of Policy/Advocacy for the National Waste & Recycling Association in Washington, D.C. In it he describes his experience volunteering at the Maryland Food Bank.

Food Waste Diversion Sen$e

Its International Compost Awareness Week! Composting can significantly reduce the nation’s waste stream, more than 50% of which is composed of organics—food scraps, brush, and soiled paper. Compost helps filter stormwater pollutants and sequester carbon. And, it creates jobs—just making compost employs twice as many workers as landfills, and four times as many as incinerators on a per-ton basis.

A Refreshing Closing the Loop Message

It seems that over the past several years we have failed to include in our messaging the true value of recycling; that is, the importance of taking “waste” materials and turning them into new products. A process that saves virgin materials for future generations, reduces energy use and pollution, and yes, creates jobs through recycling and manufacturing. Moreover, using recovered materials has become a vital component of the manufacturing process for many industries.

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