Food donation and recycling expand in New York

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law expanding New York’s food donation and recycling program on Wednesday. The legislation—(S5331A/A5906A)—makes more businesses donate their excess edible food and recycle their food scraps, cutting back on food waste to address climate concerns while feeding the hungry.

The expanded law now includes large food generators like grocery stores, colleges, and food manufacturers within 50 miles of a facility that recycles organic waste. It mandates both recycling food waste through composting or anaerobic digestion and donating any edible surplus. Besides compost, some organics recyclers can turn the waste into renewable energy source.

The law phases in the stricter requirements over several years. By 2028, businesses generating half a ton of food waste each week will have to follow it. The previous threshold was bigger—two tons per week—while the recycling radius under the old version was smaller—just 25 miles from a facility that recycles organics.

Sen. Jake Ashby was among 10 Republicans who voted against expanding the law. “I was reflecting the concerns of people in food service who didn’t think the 50 mile radius was workable. Particularly after the pandemic, I’ve tried to be very sensitive to the fact that the entire industry has faced a perilous recovery," he said on Friday. "Obviously the program’s goals are admirable and important, and I’m hopeful that it succeeds."

Gradual implementation gives those businesses that generate waste, like supermarkets, the time to partner with food banks and recyclers. A single donation from a big business like that can represent many meals at the food bank. And even on the small scale, New Yorkers can waste less food at home by composting and donating locally.

"Perfectly edible food ending up in landfills is not only one of New York’s largest sources of methane—a climate super pollutant—but also is a missed opportunity for the 12.8% of New Yorkers who are food insecure," said Ashley Ingram from Earthjustice in a written statement. "This law will increase food donations and food scrap recycling by nearly 500,000 tons per year."

Launched in 2022, New York's Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law has already diverted over 32 million pounds of food from landfills, according to the governor's office. Feeding New York State, a network of 10 food banks that manages the program, already collects about two million pounds of donated food per month.

"Waste from food scraps accounts for approximately 17% of municipal solid waste," said Niamh Moore, the Director of Healthy Communities at Environmental Advocates New York. And that 17% accounts for about 4 million tons statewide, every year, according to Patrick McClellan, the Policy Director at the New York League of Conservation Voters.

Food decomposing in landfills emmits the potent greenhouse gas, methane. Organic waste in landfills is the largest contributor to methane emissions in the state, McClellan noted.

"Methane emissions from landfilled food waste increased steadily by 295% between 1990 and 2020," said Rich Schrader, the Director of New York Government Affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "The future of New York's climate depends on taking tangible steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Reducing food waste is necessary to meet state climate goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, according to supporters of the expanded law. New York aims for an emissions-free economy by 2050.