Food waste is a growing environmental and financial challenge for businesses across all industries. Managing organic waste effectively can reduce costs, minimize environmental impact, and improve a company’s sustainability profile. By implementing a structured organics and food waste program, businesses can take control of their waste stream and turn food waste into a resource rather than a liability.

The Importance of an Organics Program

An organization should create an organics and food waste program for several key reasons:

• Cost Savings: Reducing food waste lowers disposal costs since organic waste programs often cost less than landfill disposal. Minimizing food waste helps businesses save money on inventory and purchasing.
• Environmental Benefits: Diverting food waste from landfills reduces methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting or donating excess food contributes to sustainability efforts and corporate social responsibility.
• Regulatory Compliance: Many cities and provinces have mandatory food waste diversion laws, requiring businesses to separate organics from landfill waste. And communities have new by-laws and regulations instated or changed regularly. Compliance helps avoid fines and legal issues.  
• Brand Reputation & Customer Engagement: Consumers appreciate eco-conscious businesses and are more likely to support brands that implement sustainable practices. A food waste program aligns with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, improving stakeholder trust.
• Supports the Community: Surplus edible food can be donated to food banks and shelters, helping address food insecurity. Organic waste can be repurposed into compost or renewable energy, benefiting local agriculture and sustainability efforts in local communities in which your organization operates.
• Employee Morale & Engagement: Employees often feel more engaged and motivated when working for a company that prioritizes sustainability. A clear food waste program educates staff on responsible waste disposal, fostering a culture of sustainability.

Mandatory Organics Programs in Canada

In Canada, mandatory organics and food waste programs are implemented at various governmental levels to reduce landfill waste, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainability. These programs often involve regulations and initiatives that require residents, businesses, and institutions to manage and divert organic waste responsibly.

Federal Initiatives

While Canada does not have a nationwide mandatory organics diversion law, the federal government supports waste reduction through various programs:

• Food Waste Reduction Initiatives: The government encourages businesses to conduct waste audits and develop reduction plans. For instance, in Ontario, certain sectors like supermarkets and restaurants are required to perform waste audits and create waste-reduction work plans under Regulation 102/94 of the Environmental Protection Act.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Most Canadian provinces have introduced or passed laws to create EPR programs. These programs require companies to pay fees towards the waste management of their products, including food and beverage packaging.

Provincial and Municipal Programs

Several provinces and municipalities have instituted mandatory organics diversion programs:

• Ontario: Starting January 1, 2025, Ontario is enforcing a groundbreaking ban on sending organic waste to landfills or incinerators under the Environmental Protection Act.
• British Columbia: Many local governments have organic diversion programs, and some communities have implemented banning organics in local landfills. Regional districts are responsible for developing plans for the management of municipal solid waste and recyclable materials.
• Nova Scotia: Halifax Regional Municipality has implemented a comprehensive curbside collection program requiring residents to separate organics, recyclables, and non-recoverable waste. This program has achieved a diversion rate of approximately 60%.
• There are several municipalities and cities across Canada with bylaws specific to organics and food waste, with many more on the way. Edmonton, AB is slated to mandate an organics program in June 2025.

Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (IC&I) Sector

The IC&I sector is often targeted for mandatory organics diversion due to its significant contribution to waste generation. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is developing an IC&I Waste Diversion Strategy, which includes mandatory recycling and organics diversion programs and policies. This strategy aims to help achieve the city's 70% waste diversion target.

Implementing mandatory organics and food waste programs across Canada reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability and aligns with global efforts to reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

How to Create an Organics and Food Waste Program

Step 1: Assess Your Business’s Waste Stream

The first step in creating an organics and food waste program is to understand how much waste your business produces and where it comes from. Conducting a waste audit helps identify key sources of waste, such as kitchen prep, customer leftovers, or spoilage. This assessment will also reveal opportunities to reduce waste at the source and identify potential cost savings from more efficient waste management.

Step 2: Set Goals and Develop a Strategy

Once you understand your waste streams, set clear objectives for reducing and managing food waste. Goals might include reducing overall waste by a certain percentage, increasing food donations, or implementing composting. Determine the best methods for managing organic waste, whether through source reduction, donations, composting, or anaerobic digestion. Engaging key stakeholders such as management, employees, waste and recycling vendors, and local partners like Waste Logic ensures that the program aligns with business operations and local regulations.

Step 3: Establish Waste Separation and Collection Systems

Proper separation and collection systems are crucial for a successful organics waste program. Implement clearly labeled bins for organics, recyclables, and landfill waste, ensuring that employees and customers can easily participate. If donating food is part of your strategy, set up dedicated storage areas to keep edible food fresh and safe for redistribution. Optimizing bin placement and providing easy access to waste stations will encourage proper use.

Step 4: Educate and Train Employees

Educating employees is essential to maintaining a well-functioning waste program. Conduct regular training sessions on proper waste separation, food donation best practices, and sustainability goals. Reinforce the training with clear signage and ongoing engagement, such as incentive programs or recognition for top waste reduction efforts. Appointing program champions within your team can help maintain momentum and encourage participation.

Step 5: Monitor, Evaluate, and Improve the Program

Regularly tracking waste diversion rates, food donation impact, and overall program effectiveness will ensure long-term success. Gather feedback from employees and customers to identify areas for improvement. Adjust strategies as needed based on data insights, optimizing waste reduction efforts and increasing efficiency. Continuous evaluation and adaptation will help maximize environmental and financial benefits.

Make It Simple by Partnering with Waste Logic

Implementing an organics and food waste program may seem complex, but Waste Logic helps make the process simple. By partnering with Waste Logic, businesses can seamlessly integrate food waste management into their operations without the hassle of handling logistics themselves.

Here’s how Waste Logic makes it easy:

• Customized Waste Program Assessments and Audits: We assess your waste streams and identify the best strategies for your business.
• Local Composting and Donation Services: We research and establish relationships with local composting facilities and food donation organizations to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Seamless Collection and Compliance: Waste Logic arranges regular pickups, ensuring that your waste is handled in accordance with regulations. Plus, we keep an eye out for any new or changed by-laws and federal regulations to support you in any necessary program adjustments.
• Ongoing Support and Optimization: We provide continued support through quarterly reviews to provide your organization with recommendations that will help refine and enhance your waste program over time.

In Conclusion

Creating and implementing an organics and food waste program is a vital step toward sustainability and cost reduction for businesses. By assessing waste, setting goals, establishing systems, and continuously improving, companies can make a significant environmental impact while streamlining operations.

When you partner with Waste Logic, you get to focus on what you do best, running your business. We’ll take your waste and recycling programs off your hands, continuously look for areas of operational improvement, and save your bottom line. Helping your business become an industry leader in responsible waste management and sustainability.

Ask us about our Green Leaf Sustainability Programs today.