Helpful DC Wasted Food Resources

• The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
  • In 2022 DSLBD launched food waste innovation grants to help restaurants, food manufacturers, shared commercial kitchens, and others reduce, rescue, and recycle their wasted food.

• Natural Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC) Washington, D.C. Food Waste Policy Gap Analysis and Inventory
  • This report provides a detailed inventory of existing policies in Washington D.C. as well as a gap analysis identifying opportunities for furthering food waste reduction policy.

• Food Donation Resources
  • Food rescue organizations facilitating food recovery in Washington DC include Food Rescue US and MEANS Database
  • The Department of Public Works (DPW) offers information for businesses and institutions seeking to donate food.
  • The D.C. Department of Health’s Food Safety and Hygiene Inspection Services Division and the Department of Public Works’ Office of Waste Diversion developed the Commercial Food Donation Guide to outline steps for safely donating food.

• Compost Resources
  • This Commercial Compost Guide from the Sierra Club DC Chapter Zero Waste Committee provides case studies of successes and challenges of businesses implementing composting programs.
  • Litterless’ Where to Compost: Washington DC is a directory and guide to supporting local businesses and fighting climate change.
  • The Compost Feasibility Study by DC DPW and Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) is a composting collection progress and feasibility report reviewing residential and commercial programs and processing capacity in the D.C. area.