The Legislative Landscape

Food waste legislation across the United States continues to evolve as states and municipalities implement policies focused on reducing waste in landfills, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing food recovery.

Key Goals of Food Waste Legislation

Reducing Waste in Landfills

Many regulations call for reducing food waste going to landfills and emphasize solutions such as diverting material from disposal to other uses, recycling of organic material, on-site composting, and installation of on-site organics treatment equipment.

Feeding People

New regulations emphasize using excess edible food for its intended purpose, feeding people. As a result, new rules require food generators to donate excess food and local jurisdictions to establish programs that redirect edible food to organizations that address food insecurity.

Food Waste Legislation in Action: California SB 1383

California is a leader in putting a focus on food recovery. Senate Bill 1383 is a state-mandated effort to reduce organic waste in California landfills while increasing participation in edible food recovery. Included in the legislation, which took effect January 1, 2022, are requirements for specified tiers of food generators to donate excess edible food to food recovery organizations.