Commercial Food Waste Prevention in Tompkins

CountyNancy Webster, Assistant Recycling Specialist

Tompkins County

• City of Ithaca: 30,014• Total County: 101,564• 41,674 Households• 476 Square miles

• Current waste diversion: ~60%• 85% waste diversion by 2030

ReBusiness PartnersEst. 2006

• Designed to help businesses, schools, and organizations practice the 4Rs

• Partners receive:– a free waste assessment– ongoing technical assistance– desk-side recycling bins– education signs and decals– public recognition

Food Waste Generators• Approximately 250

ReBusiness Partners

• ~200 businesses composting

• Follow ups and ongoing relationship

• Pre-consumer vs. Post-consumer

Lean Path• 2004, Portland, OR• Commercial Sector

– Hotels– Restaurants– Hospitals– Colleges

• Increase financial sustainability through reduced food waste

• Local success: Ithaca College Dining Services

• Worldwide application

Lean Path- ZAP

• Portable software for small businesses

• Use existing kitchen scale• Wifi LeanPath online• Real-time data and reports• Individual user codes and

participation awards• Training resources

Pilot PartnersCriteria• ReBusiness Partner• Already using Cayuga Compost• Small to mid-size kitchen and staff• Willingness to engage over 3 months• Open to waste reduction opportunities

Training• Management

Training– 45 minute virtual

training– Questionnaire of

location specific data • Launch Day

– Kitchen training– Management

overview– All staff practice– Place the tablet

and start TODAY

Ongoing Assistance• Champions

– Tech support– Local, continuous

resource– Coordination with

Lean Path experts– Baseline vs.

Opportunities

• Weekly Reports– Top Loss Reason– Participation– Potential Cost

Savings

Exit Interview

• 20-30 minutes– Equipment return– Feedback: software,

tablet, change of team culture, savings, expectations

– Potential local applications: culinary network

• Each business achieved some waste reduction

• Software- easy, intuitive

• Hardware- malfunctions and wifi issues led to premature end

Lessons Learned

• Champion and management interest is key.

• Full team engagement ensures continued data collection.

• Tablets in kitchens need protection.

• Be clear about expectations– Goals– Measurable change– Ongoing

participation

Next Phase: 2016

• Focus on 2 businesses, fully engaged

• Manager support from beginning to end

• Hospital food service, eldercare facility, local convenience store

• Seek advanced tech support from Lean Path

• Consider staff size for SWAT and culture changing

• Explore local application

Questions?Tompkins County Solid Waste

Management Divisionwww.recycletompkins.org

273-6632