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.
Watch this short video to learn how we approach wasted food marketplace development across the country.
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.”
Recent Awards
- 2019 Regional EPA Recognition for Food Waste Recovery
- 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.
Who we’ve helped
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
Businesses and Institutions
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- Food manufacturers and distributors
- Colleges and universities
- Hospitals
- Corporate cafeterias
- Caterers and food service companies
- Breweries
- Correctional Facilities
Watch Some Examples of Our Work
Speaking Engagements
- 01/2022-03/2022 Rhody Restaurants – the Rhode to Zero Waste
- 1/25/2022 CT DEEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee: Business Recycling Assistance
- 11/17/2021 Reducing Food Waste in K-12 Schools: Strategies for Prevention, Donation, and Recycling
- 6/25/2021 – Green Your Bottom Line in Food & Beverage Businesses: Reduce Food Waste
- 3/10/2021 – 2021 University of Rhode Island (URI) Food System Summit: The Business Case for Reducing, Rescuing, and Recycling Food Waste
- 2/26/2021 – Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP): Connecticut Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management (CCSMM) Organic Infrastructure Forum
- 1/14/2021 – Healthy Soils Healthy Seas Rhode Island Symposium
- August – September 2020 – CT Compost Conference Webinar Series: Municipal Composting, Case Studies and Updates; and Different Scales of Composting: From Municipalities to Farms
- 2/24/2020 – CT DEEP Organics Webinar Series: “Changes in CT’s Organics Recycling Law: Are you in compliance?”
- 1/27/2020 – CT DEEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) Meeting: CET Food Waste Work in CT Status Update
- 11/05/2019 – Connecticut Green Leaf Schools Best Practices Workshop: “Food Donation by Connecticut Schools Guidelines and Resources”
- 3/15/19 – NESEA BuildingEnergy Boston 2019: Weston Boston Waterfront Hotel Case Study: Diverting Food Waste for Energy Production
- 3/14/19 – 2019 Rhode Island Compost Conference & Trade Show: “Existing and Emerging Infrastructure for Food Waste: A Regional Perspective”
- 5/31/18 – 2018 Rhode Island Compost Conference Trade Show: “Wasted Food Solutions for Rhode Island”
- 11/9/17 – RecyclingWorks in MA, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts: “Food Sustainability Symposium”
- 10/4/2017 – Rhode Island Environmental Health Association’s 55th Annual Yankee Conference on Environmental Health Food Donation and Composting Presentations
- 2016 – Connecticut Department of Public Health 2016 Food Inspector Recertification Training: “Wasted Food Diversion Assistance”
- 9/30/2016 – 4th Annual Yale Food Systems Symposium: “Approach to Reducing Wasted Food”
- 4/14/16 – Connecticut Food Association Recognition Night
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts Waste Wise Forums
- WasteWise Forum Webinar, Fall 2021
- Waste Diversion Resources and Opportunities for Businesses and Institutions, Fall 2020
- Resources & Equipment for Recycling, Organics, and Trash Collection; and Employee Training to Reduce Contamination, Spring 2020
- Food Waste Reduction Using Technology, Fall 2019
- Collecting Source Separated Materials, Fall 2018
- Panel on Diversion Across the EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy, Spring 2017
RecyclingWorks in MA College & University Forums
- Webinar on Recycling Program Improvements During Disrupted Operations, Spring 2020
- Wellesley College: Recycling in Public Spaces and Dormitory Areas, Spring 2019
- Food Recovery & Recycling in Public Spaces, Cafeterias, and at Special Events, Spring 2018
- Panel on Food Waste Prevention Tools and Strategies, Spring 2017
- Food Donation, Fall 2015
RecyclingWorks in MA Compost Site Workshops
- Compost Site Practical Skills Workshop, Spring 2021
- Compost Site Operations Management Training for Health Officials, Winter 2020
- Technical Skills Compost Workshop, Spring 2018
- Compost Site Practical Skills Workshop, Fall 2019
- 3/18/2022 NJ Food Processors Association 2022 Annual Conference
- 3/08/2022 Reducing Food Waste in New York: Strategies to Prevent, Donate, and Divert Waste
- 2/17/2022 Philly Talks Trash: A Virtual Series on Waste
- 2/15/2022 The Commerce Industry Association of New Jersey: Solutions to Reduce, Recover, and Recycle Waste Food in the Commercial & Institutional Sector
- 11/09/2021 NYSAR3 Conference: Outreach to Food Scraps Generators
- 10/13/2021 Reducing Food Waste in New Jersey: Strategies to Prevent, Donate, and Divert Waste
- 08/18/2021 Donating Food in Western New York: Strategies for Businesses with Surplus Food
- 7/29/2021 – Center for EcoTechnology: Reducing Food Waste in Manufacturing: Strategies for Donation & Recycling Virtual Workshop
- 6/23/2021 – Center for EcoTechnology: Western New York – Wasted Food Strategies Virtual Workshop
- 4/7/2021 – New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) 2021 Virtual Organics Summit: Compostable Ware: Is it Right for You?
- 12/07/2020 – Climate Collaborative of Greater Philadelphia and Center for EcoTechnology: Deep Dive: Implementing Food Waste Strategies
- 11/19/2020 – New Jersey Composting Council (NJCC) Organics Waste Summit 2.0 Workshop 1 Municipal Composting
- 10/13/2020 – Climate Collaborative of Greater Philadelphia and Center for EcoTechnology: Managing Food Waste to Meet your Climate Goals
- 9/17/2020 – New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: Food Waste Prevention Day 2020
- 6/16/2020 – NJ Composting Council (NJCC) Food Waste Collection, Contamination, and Composting Webinar
- 5/7/2020 – New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) 2020 “Incorporating Food Scraps Into Your Yard Waste Composting Facility”
- Oct-Feb 2019 – New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC) Stakeholder Meetings for Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law
- 10/6/2019 – Food Recovery Network: National Food Recovery Dialogue: “Wasted Food Solutions”
- 10/1/2019 – New Jersey Composting Council and Rutgers EcoComplex Organic Waste Management Summit: “Legal Updates and State of Organics in NJ”
- 6/4/2019 – New York State (NYS) Pollution Prevention Institute: “Managing Food Waste in NYS: Opportunities, Innovative Technologies, and Best Practices”
- 5/19/2019 – Federation of NY Solid Waste Associations Annual Conference and Trade Show: “Soup to Nuts: Reducing Food Waste with Donation”
- 3/27/19 – New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) 2019 Organics Summit: Moderator for “Shaping Our Future”
- 10/22/18 – Pennsylvania Foodservice Expo 2019: “Wasted Food Solutions for Food Service Operations”
- 5/23/18 – Federation of NY Solid Waste Associations Annual Conference and Trade Show: “Food Recovery Strategies for Businesses and Institutions: Prevention, Donation, and Diversion Using On-Site Systems”
- 3/28/18 – NYSAR3 2018 Organics Summit: “Story of a Food Waste Generator: Tips & Tools for Starting from Scratch”
- 8/10/2021- Center for EcoTechnology: Food Waste Diversion Strategies: On-Site and Commercial Compost Solutions (in-person and virtual workshop)
- 4/21/2021- Center for EcoTechnology: Virtual Workshop for Ohio Food Retailers and Manufacturers
- 3/11/2021- Center for EcoTechnology: Virtual Workshop for Wasted Food Solutions for Institutional Kitchens
- 7/29/2020- West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Webinar: Understanding Liability and Incentives for Food Donation and Waste Diversion in Michigan
- 01/25/2022- Compost 2022: Considering Perspectives on the Decision to Accept Compostable Products
- 6/30/2021 – WasteExpo 2021: Public-Private Partnerships Support Wasted Food Diversion Efforts
- 6/28/2021- WasteExpo 2021: How to Estimate Wasted Food and What to do Next: In Your City and In Your Business
- 8/31/2020 – Sustain PVD, Center for EcoTechnology and Zero Waste Providence: Greening your Restaurant
- 8/11/2020 – WasteExpo 2020: “Public-Private Partnerships Support Wasted Food Diversion Efforts”
- 12/14/2019 – The Composting Collaborative: “Organic Waste Bans: An Analysis of Existing Policies, Challenges, and Opportunities”
- 11/12/2019 – ReFED 2019 Food Waste Summit: “Market Place Growth Through Technical Assistance”
- 10/29/2019 – BioCycle REFOR19: “Technology Solutions Across The EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy”
- 5/7/2019 – WasteExpo 2019: “Technology Innovations and Other Solutions to the Problem of Wasted Food”
- 5/7/2019 – WasteExpo 2019: “Organic Waste Bans, Mandatory Organics Recycling Laws, and Related Strategies for Food Waste Management: An Analysis of Existing Policies, Challenges, & Opportunities”
- 4/25/2019 – Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) and Northeast Recycling Council NERC’s Edible Food for Donation Webinar: Expanding Opportunities for Donating Food
- 4/2/2019 – BioCycle West Coast 19: “Appling the Food Waste Estimator Tool”
- 1/29/2019 – Compost2020 Conference & Trade Show: “Providing Operational Guidance for Municipalities adding Food Scraps to a Yard Debris Composting Program”
- 1/29/2019 – Compost2019 Conference & Trade Show: “Public-Private Partnerships support Food Waste Diversion Efforts”
- 12/12/2018 – Waste360 Webinar: “Organic Waste Bans and Beyond: Policy Strategies for Managing Food Waste”
- 12/3/2018 – The Climate Collaborative: “Put Your Policy Where Your Mouth Is”
- 10/17/2018 – BIOCYCLE REFOR18: “Disposal Bans, Mandates and Related Strategies for Food Waste Management”
- 9/11/2018 – 2018 Midwest Food Recovery Summit: “Food Waste Solutions”
- 6/26/2018 – U.S. Food Waste Summit “Organic Waste Bans and Beyond: Policy Strategies for Managing Food Waste”
- 4/24/2018 – WasteExpo 2018: “Organics Legislation, Building Food Waste & Organics Infrastructure, Achieving Diversion Goals”
- 3/28/2018 – BioCycle West Coast 18: “Island Solution: Food Recovery, Composting On Martha’s Vineyard”
- 12/6/2017 – Waste 360 Webinar: “Principles of Source Separation and Collection Best Practices”
- 10/06/2020- EPA Region 1: COVID Impacts on P2 Technical Assistance
- 11/13/2019 – Natural Resource Deference Council (NRDC) Second Food Matters Cities Summit: “Funding Infrastructure, Technical Assistance, & Education”
- 3/12/2019 – EPA National Sustainable Food Management Webinar
- 2/12/2019 – Natural Resource Deference Council (NRDC) Inaugural Food Matters Cities Summit
- 10/31/2018 – EPA State Compost and Anaerobic Digestion Forum Webinar
Thank You To Our Many Partners
Thank you to our many partners who make this work possible. CET works to leverage every investment in our work to help reach our individual and collective goals.
Foundations
Federal Agencies
State Agencies
We also serve businesses and institutions directly on a fee for service basis. Our clients include Big Y, Yum! Brands, Del Monte, Blue Man Group, Covidien, Shriners Hospital, Lord Jeffrey Inn.
Take the next step!
To get started, give us a call at (888) 813-8552, email us at wastedfood@cetonline.org or fill out this form: