Where Does Large Food Waste Come From:

Every day, vast amounts of food are wasted by large-scale institutions. In New York and New Jersey, there key facilities are among the largest contributors:
 

• College Cafeterias

• Hospitals

• Assisted Living Facilities

• Large Grocery Stores

These operations serve thousands of meals daily, but mush of the uneaten or expired food ends up in the trash.

What Happens to This Waste?

A significant portion of food waste from these facilities is sent directly to landfills, including:
 

• Leftover meals and prepared foods

• Spoiled or expired packaged goods

• Produce that can no longer be sold

• Plate waste from institutional kitchens and dining halls

The Environmental Cost

When food waste is sent to landfills, it decomposes without oxygen (anaerobically), producing methane – a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. In addition to climate harm, landfilled food waste contributes to:
 

• Soil and water contamination through leachate

• Unnecessary strain on municipal waste systems

• Wasted resources like water, fuel, and labor used to produce the food

The Real Cost of Collecting Food Scraps at NYC;s Organic Waste Program

New York City has made significant investments in its organic collection infrastructure through the Department of Sanitation (DSNY):
 

• FY2023: Approximately $32 million was budgeted for composting, including curbside collection, school, and drop-off programs.

• FY2024 (through Jan): Processing expenses reached $5.5 million.

• Citywide Rollout: DSNY hired 320 new workers, added 158 trucks, and allocated $20.3 million for implementation and processing contracts.

• Personnel Budget: An estimated $33.4 million annually supports about 299 uniformed sanitation workers dedicated to organics collection.

• Cost Per Ton (2019 data):

1. Organics: $734/ton

2. Refuse: $216/ton

3. Recycling: $206/ton

These figures underscore the higher cost of collecting organics – mainly due to smaller pickup volumes and route inefficiencies compared to regular trash or recycling. However, investment in participation, route optimization, and equipment are helping to address these challenges.