The RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts program has worked with local health officials to develop recommended Best Management Practices (BMPs) for use by health agents to support and inform local oversight of commercial food waste collection programs. The commercial organics waste disposal ban affects any business or institution that disposes of one ton or more of food waste per week, effective October 1, 2014. These BMPs are also intended to serve as a resource to businesses and institutions and their haulers. This is not regulatory language and these practices may need to be modified to fit varying site specific conditions. The RecyclingWorks program will consider revising the BMPs in the future as needed. Any suggestions should be sent to [email protected].
Two meetings with local health officials were held; Springfield (February 28th, 2013) and Worcester (March 28th, 2013). A survey was then sent in April 2013 to over 100 public health professionals, yielding 17 responses. RecyclingWorks presented an early draft to the MassDEP Organics Subcommittee meeting held on June 10. In addition, a draft document was shared with representatives of all of the major public health organizations in Massachusetts, who were given a chance to provide comments. This BMP document is based on the results of this process.
