About CET

The Center for EcoTechnology (CET) helps people and businesses save energy and reduce waste. CET acts as a catalyst to accelerate the development of a vibrant marketplace to divert wasted food from the commercial and institutional sectors. We have been a leader in the wasted food reduction and diversion movement for more than 20 years, implementing some of the first wasted food composting programs in the country, and contributing to effective public policy. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), CET designed and operates RecyclingWorks MA, the award-winning wasted food reduction assistance program in Massachusetts. We offer program design and implementation services throughout the Northeast U.S. and beyond, and consulting services to provide information and advice nationally.

We believe that better managing wasted food is critical in order to address climate change, feed more hungry people, and grow our economy. If you are a city, state or federal agency, industry group or foundation, and want to tackle the issue of wasted food, please contact us!

How we help develop the wasted food diversion marketplace

Our job is to get to know all the solution providers like haulers, food rescue organizations, technology platforms for prevention, composting facilities, and anaerobic digesters, and identify market niches and ideal customer types.

Armed with that information, we then engage with businesses and institutions that have wasted food and actively connect them with the service providers that will provide the best solution. We take into account the location and size of the business, the type or amount of wasted food to be diverted, and associated costs. Once the businesses have this information, they can make an informed decision about how to reduce or divert their wasted food.

CET is a trusted resource for both the business and service provider because we don’t have a stake in any particular solution; we want to help reduce or divert wasted food!

In doing this work, we often find gaps or barriers in the marketplace. We then embark on focused efforts to engage stakeholders and jumpstart the marketplace by aggregating a critical mass of interest on the part of businesses and institutions and their service providers, and drive the development of cost-competitive wasted food diversion solutions in that area.  We also develop Best Management Practices and other guidance and trainings as needed, and advise government on changes to policies and programs that can address critical barriers.

MassDEP Commissioner Marty Suuberg says, “The Center for EcoTechnology does tremendous work working with businesses to provide recycling options to tell them what they can do to really make sure they’re taking advantage of not only the environmental, but the economic advantages of recycling…they are a very proactive and user friendly organization.” See the full video:

Recent Awards

• Even Bigger Idea, North American 2018 Rathmann Challenge: Mitigating Climate Change: Expanding the Use of Compost
• Top Honor, North American 2017 Rathmann Challenge: Mitigating Climate Change: Expanding the Use of Compost
• 2016 US EPA Environmental Merit Award
• 2016 Environmental Business Council of New England “Non-Profit of the Year” for our pioneering work in wasted food.

Businesses and Institutions

• Supermarkets
• Restaurants
• Food manufacturers and distributors
• Colleges and universities
• Hospitals
• Corporate cafeterias
• Caterers and food service companies
• Breweries
• Correctional Facilities

Solution Providers

• Haulers
• Compost sites
• Anaerobic digesters
• Animal feed operations
• Depackaging and transfer facilities
• On-site compost, grinding or de-watering equipment distributors
• Waste reduction and matchmaking services and technology platforms
• Food rescue and recovery organizations
• Food manufacturers and preparers

Government, Industry and Philanthropic Partners

• State and federal government agencies
• Municipal government
• Boards of Health
• Industry and trade associations
• Recycling and composting associations
• Food policy councils
• Foundations
• University centers and programs
• Non-profit policy and implementation organizations

Watch some examples of our work

• Hotel: Sheraton at Bradley International Airport
• University: The University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Supermarket: America’s Food Basket
• Restaurant: Gardner Ale House
• And many more!