restaurant composting | Crazy About Compost

For Restaurants, Composting Is a Welcome but Complex Task

When Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s administration revealed this week that he was rolling out a plan to make New York City residents separate their food scraps for composting, chefs and restaurateurs with an interest in sustainability welcomed the news. Composting can help the city manage its huge trash output, and a growing number of restaurants already separate their scraps for organic-waste pickup. But many others, even some who are committed to recycling, say that finding ways to fit more bins, more staff time and more expense into their daily routines will be a struggle. While the mayor’s initiative will apply to residences and schools, and will be voluntary, at least at first, the administration says restaurants and other food businesses will also be required to compost eventually. Food waste makes…

US Restaurants Recycling Without Reservations (article)

More than three out of five U.S. restaurants recycle glass, cardboard, paper and other materials, which scores big points with their customers. Nearly two-thirds of patrons want to eat at restaurants with recycling programs in place, according to a new survey from the National Restaurant Association. Eighty-five percent said they'd even lend a hand by sorting quick service recycling items into the appropriate bins, if provided. "Patrons want to go to these places that recycle," said Chris Moyer, the NRA's director of Conserve Solutions for Sustainability. "I can't put a dollar sign on that goodwill, but there is a value there." Restaurants most frequently recycle paper and cardboard, while 13 percent said they compost their food scraps, a finding that surprised Moyer. "What's encouraging about it is that it's something…