SWANA Provides Comments on US “Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics”

February 6, 2024 – The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) submitted comments on the US Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics. SWANA supports the intent of the draft strategy and has several recommendations for strengthening the strategy’s objectives and strategic actions.

“SWANA appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on this important new national strategy. We look forward to working with the federal agencies in advancing the goals to strengthen a robust nationwide organics recycling system,” stated Amy Lestition Burke, Executive Director & CEO at SWANA.

The draft strategy was released by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the goal of preventing food loss and waste and increasing recycling of organic material. This strategy is the latest in a series of EPA strategies focused on building a more circular economy.

SWANA’s comments covered many areas, including the call for continued federal financial incentives and support to expand compost and anaerobic digestion infrastructure. The draft strategy includes a strategic action of addressing contamination in the organic waste recycling stream, and SWANA emphasizes the importance of this action. SWANA also called for an increased focus on worker safety and training programs as jobs in this field grow.

SWANA’s members include the professionals who are designing, building, and operating composting systems; managing collections of organics; designing and implementing communications; marketing end products; and providing other essential functions that will be key to the implementation of the National Strategy.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Kristyn Oldendorf, Director of Public Policy, at koldendorf@swana.org.

Interested in learning more about these topics? Check out SWANA Zero Waste Principles & Practices course which will be held at SOAR in April. SWANA courses are also available as on demand e-courses and training at work sites.