U.S. EPA Sustainable Materials Management Web Academy Webinar

To register for this free webinar visit: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4837827369640780290.

The state of Vermont and the commonwealth Massachusetts both implemented regulations in 2014 to promote food recovery and to decrease the disposal of food scraps in municipal solid waste. Vermont's Universal Recycling Law (Act 148) set a time line for food scrap diversion, beginning on July 1, 2014. Massachusetts implemented the Commercial Food Waste Disposal Ban on October 1, 2014.

Metro, the regional government for the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area, recently adopted a policy that requires food-generating businesses to separate food scraps from garbage. The new code language requires the largest food service businesses to separate their food scraps from other garbage starting in 2020, and smaller food service businesses will be phased into the policy over the following three years.

What is the progress to date for both Vermont and Massachusetts, including jobs created, food recovery infrastructure and take aways from their programs? How has Metro prepared before the implementation date? What metrics are they using to drive food scrap recovery? This webinar will feature presenters from state and local government who are at the forefront of organics recovery policy at the state and local level.

Webinar Speakers:

• John Fischer, Branch Chief for Commercial Waste Reduction and Waste Planning at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
• Josh Kelly, Section Chief of the Materials Management Section at the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
• Holly Stirnkorb, Senior Solid Waste Planner for Metro the regional government in the Portland metropolitan area

To find out more about these programs, visit:

Vermont's Universal Recycling Law (Act 148) - https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/solid/universal-recycling

Massachusetts' Commercial Food Waste Disposal Ban - https://www.mass.gov/guides/commercial-food-material-disposal-ban

Metro's new code language - https://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/starting-2020-many-businesses-must-keep-food-out-garbage