![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511181723im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Frequent Questions about Food Scraps*
Food Scraps
*Adapted from the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and other sources
- How can I prevent food waste?
- Where can I donate food?
- Am I liable if someone gets sick from food I've donated?
- Can I compost my household food scraps?
- I'm a large-quantity food generator—can I compost onsite?
- I can't compost onsite—what
else can I do?
What about odors and pests? - Will my backyard compost pile freeze during winter?
- How do I keep food scraps from freezing to the collection containers?
- Do I need a permit to compost food scraps?
- How will diverting my food scraps save me money?
How can I prevent food waste?
The best way to eliminate food waste is to not create it in the first place. Buy produce only in quantities that can be used before it spoils. At restaurants, ask about portion sizes and be aware of included side dishes with entrees. With the popularity of all-you-can-eat buffets, take only what you can eat.
Restaurant owners might want to download California’s
Integrated Waste Management Board's (CIWMB’s)
Food
for Thought: Restaurant Guide to Waste Reduction
and Recycling, 
a food waste prevention guide. Also see CIWMB's
Food
Service Waste Reduction Tips and Ideas fact sheet
.
Where can I donate edible food?
Food banks typically accept food donations that are packaged or can be stored for a period of time. Food rescue programs redistribute unused or uneaten donated foods that are perishable, such as casseroles or other hot meals from caterers, restaurants, delicatessens, and cafeterias. Food rescue programs often serve donated meals the same day they are received.
Am I liable if someone gets sick from food I've donated?
No. State and federal law protects food donors from liability as long as it is donated in good faith. The "Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act" (Public Law 104-210) makes it easier for businesses to donate to food banks and food rescue programs. It 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.
Can I compost my household food scraps?
If you live in a single-family home or apartment,
learn how to create
your own backyard composting pile for composting
residential food scraps or learn more about worm
composting, which can be done indoors or outdoors.
For more information, visit Seattle Public Utilities’ Composting Kitchen Scraps
page.
I'm a large quantity food generator—can I compost onsite?
For commercial and institutional food generators (e.g., food processors, grocery stores, restaurants, and institutions), composting food scraps onsite can greatly reduce waste collection and disposal costs, and provide a valuable compost product for use in landscaping.
Commercial food scraps can be managed by using in-vessel composting technology. In-vessel composting systems can compost waste volumes from a few pounds to more than 60 tons a day. Compostable materials are placed in the container and mixed, shredded, and aerated by the system. Some in-vessel systems are fully automated with sensors to monitor temperature, oxygen, and moisture. They use biofilters to reduce or eliminate odors. This is a good method for institutions with large amounts of compostable materials and limited space.
There are several questions to consider when planning a large-scale, onsite food composting program. Do you…
- Have enough space?
- Have staff resources to separate food from trash and/or to operate equipment?
- Have the appropriate infrastructure (i.e., electrical, sewer backup) for the type of technology you want to use?
- Have an end use for the finished compost?
- Have nearby business’ or residential neighbors’ support and cooperation?
- Have or need approval from your local enforcement agency? Please see Do I need a permit? below.
Before starting an onsite compost project, you might want to call your local waste hauler and/or recycling coordinator to determine if there is an existing or planned food collection program in your area. Also ask your waste hauler if they offer a discount for separated organic materials.
I can't compost onsite—what else can I do?
Check with your local government to obtain a list of permitted food composting facilities in your community or your state solid waste agency. EPA regional offices might also have information on local composting facilities.
What about odors and pests?
Separating food waste from the MSW stream at the source actually alleviates problems with odor and pest at landfills. The compost process produces little odor as long as the system is properly aerated and materials are properly mixed.
Odors
If incoming ingredients have been stored in low-oxygen conditions for a week or more and have become anaerobic, they will impact the smell of the compost stream to which they are added. To avoid odors, composting requires a proper balance of “green” organic materials (e.g., grass clippings, food scraps), which contain large amounts of nitrogen, and “brown” organic materials (e.g., dry leaves, wood chips, branches), which contain large amounts of carbon but little nitrogen. Adding a dry bulking amendment such as wood chips increases porosity, which means an increase in the oxygen able to penetrate the compost. Keeping moisture levels down and aerating regularly will also help reduce odors. Learn how to identify different smells associated with composting
To minimize odors at the collection source, empty collection containers regularly and periodically rinse them with soap and hot water. Washing collection bins
If a worm bin smells bad, it probably has too much food waste, it's too wet, or there is cheese or other animal products (e.g., meat) present. To eliminate bad odors, remove excess or inappropriate wastes and add fresh bedding. Removing the lid for a while will also allow some of the moisture to evaporate.
Pests
To avoid pests, do not backyard-compost meat, bones, and fatty foods such as cheese, salad dressing, and cooking oil. The odors created by these foods can attract rodents and other animals. Food scraps should be buried in the middle of the compost pile to keep pests and rodents away. Covered bins also reduce attracting pests to compost piles. In-vessel systems, including most vermicomposting systems, provide the highest protection against rodents and other animals. These systems are usually fully enclosed and are often lockable.
One of the most common pest problems with worm composting food scraps are vinegar or "fruit" flies (PDF) (2 pp, 103K, about PDF)
- Wrap fresh food wastes in newspaper.
- Cover fresh food wastes with a few inches of worm bedding or castings
- Freeze the food scraps overnight before adding them to the bin.
When collecting large amounts of food waste, you
can minimize pest problems by using appropriate,
leak-proof collection containers, regularly emptying
of these containers into larger onsite collection
bins, and frequent collection by the hauler. California's
Integrated Waste Management Board's Food Scrap Composting
page has more information on composting for large
operations.
Visit the "Troubleshooting Composting Problems"
table on CompostGuide.com
for more tips on how to reduce common problems,
including odors and pests. The California Integrated
Waste Management Board also provides a Troubleshooting
Guide
to learn how to avoid pests and odors.
Will my backyard compost pile freeze during winter?
If your compost pile is smaller than four cubic feet, it can freeze during winter. Freezing will make compost piles inactive, but is not harmful to the long-term condition of the pile. Larger piles will not freeze but should not be turned during winter. Because there is less yard waste than food waste going into compost piles during winter, it is important to maintain the correct carbon to nitrogen ratio. Turning the pile might release too much heat.
The size and placement of your compost pile affect
the likelihood that it will freeze in cold temperatures.
A sunny spot and insulation (e.g., straw) are the
keys to keeping a backyard compost pile functioning
in winter. Get step-by-step
instructions for building an insulated bin
for composting during winter months.
How do I keep food scraps from freezing to the collection containers?
Line your bins or containers with old newspaper or corrugated cardboard after each collection to keep food waste from freezing to the sides and bottom. You can also place food waste in cardboard boxes or paper bags before putting them in the container during winter months.
Do I need a permit to compost food scraps?
It depends on the type and volume of food being composted. Prior to starting a compost operation, consult current state composting regulations and contact your local enforcement agency for guidance on any local permit requirements.
How will diverting my food scraps save money?
Less food in the trash can save you money in several ways:
- Avoided purchase costs through food waste prevention strategies.
- Avoided service costs by using fewer or smaller trash bins.
- Reduction in garbage bill by less frequent trash collection for commercial generators.
- Your local hauler might discount separate collection for organics.
- Eliminate purchase of additional soil amendments for onsite landscaping through onsite composting.
- If long-term disposal and diversion costs are comparable, choose the option that helps meet EPA's waste diversion goals and uses resources more wisely.
