We can help you take the next step!

The Center for EcoTechnology (CET) is building relationships in Oregon with some stakeholders that are interested in addressing wasted food. We have shared information with Metro and have had the opportunity to speak together on conference panels about developing food waste policies. CET was excited to speak at BioCycle 2019 in Portland, again on a panel with Metro to discuss ways to estimate food waste at businesses.

CET is exploring partnering on projects to increase the capacity to address this important issue in Oregon. To learn more about CET’s work in Oregon and to get involved, contact CET today at 888-813-8552 or email wastedfood@cetonline.org.

Helpful Oregon Wasted Food Resources

  • Food Waste Stops With Me
    • Food Waste Stops with Me is a collaboration between Metro, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), as well as city and county governments. The program connects food service professionals to resources and technical assistance to help prevent food waste, donate edible food and set up successful food scraps composting programs. Resources include case studies, videos, webinars, podcasts, free workshops, toolkits, and links to local government programs for free on-site technical assistance and more.
  • Oregon Metro Food Scraps Policy
    • This resource includes information regarding Metro Council’s commercial food scrap policy which requires the largest food service businesses to separate their food scraps from other garage starting in 2020, with smaller businesses phased into the policy over the following three years.
  • Wasted Food Wasted Money Resource Guide
    • Oregon DEQ created a commercial waste prevention campaign, Wasted Food Wasted Money, to assist local governments comply with Oregon’s Opportunity to Recycle Act. As of Jan. 1, 2018, the act requires certain local government jurisdictions to implement waste prevention and reuse programs. Wasted Food Wasted Money offers guidance documents, sample social media posts, and success stories.

Oregon Legal/Regulatory Requirements

  • Every state has specific state-level legal and regulatory requirements regarding food waste and food donation. ReFED, a national food waste prevention nonprofit, created a searchable database of state-by-state food waste policies and regulations, in collaboration with the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic. View the Oregon food waste policy page for specific, up-to-date information about Oregon’s food waste laws.
  • The Emerson Act
    • The Federal Emerson Act (Public Law 104-210) protects donors from liability when donating to nonprofit organizations and protects donors from civil and criminal liability should the product, donated in good faith, later cause harm to the needy recipient.

Toolbox

For more information regarding food waste estimates, source separation guidance, and how to start a food donation program, open CET’s Toolbox.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP, CONTACT US!

Contact CET to learn more about food recovery and waste diversion opportunities for your business, institution, customers, or association members: