Initiated by the environmental activism of students, the Town of Arlington recently rolled out a free restaurant composting pilot. Quebrada Baking Company and BreadBoard Bakery are participating in the 3 month pilot that separates organic waste from regular trash. 

According to the EPA, food waste is a serious environmental concern and the largest component of U.S. municipal landfills (24% in 2018), filling up a larger portion of the landfill than plastics (18%) or textiles (8%). NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) estimates that U.S. restaurants generate an estimated 22 to 33 billion pounds of food waste each year. 

In 2023, an 8th grade Civics Action Project team was concerned about the environmental impact of food waste and presented an article to the spring 2023 Town Meeting to fund a restaurant composting pilot program. The article passed 207-4 and is now being implemented. 

By composting their organic waste, Quebrada Baking Company has significantly lowered their trash volume and strengthened their overall waste practices. They have found that it is much easier to compost all their eggshells and coffee grounds than throw them in the trash. The East Arlington bakery strives to reduce excess waste at all four locations and also uses compostable straws (available on request only) and cold drink cups with sippable lids.

As part of its ‘Reduce Single-Use’ campaign, Zero Waste Arlington actively partners with restaurants to reduce restaurant waste.

BreadBoard Bakery had been wanting to try composting and the free pilot inspired them to finally explore it. The bakery in East Arlington not only donates excess food to Food Link but they also eliminate use of single-use plastics by providing compostable forks (available on request only) and only paper or compostable food service items.  

Prior to joining the pilot, each restaurant received a free on-site waste consultation from RecyclingWorks. RecyclingWorks is a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) funded recycling and waste diversion assistance program delivered under contract by the Center for EcoTechnology (CET).

For households, Arlington has several options for composting; curbside subscription services, backyard composting (bins for sale at the DPW) or the Town’s free Feed FiDO drop-off program. 

Resources:

• Arlington resident food scrap diversion options
• Recycling and composting options for apartment buildings
• Blog: Home composting: How to get started
• Blog: We Are What we DON’T Eat: The Environmental Impact of Food Waste
• Blog: Food Waste is a Solvable Problem