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Food Waste Recycling Solutions That Work

Casella helps businesses, organizations, and communities divert food waste from disposal and turn it into valuable resources like compost and renewable energy.

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Chef in a white coat holds a bowl of vegetable scraps over a green-lidded compost bin, with additional food waste visible inside the container.

Why Food Waste Recycling Matters

Every year, nearly 40% of food in the United States goes uneaten. When food is thrown away as waste, we lose valuable resources like water, energy, and nutrients—and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Casella’s food waste recycling programs support a circular economy and help you:

  • Support Community Health

    Divert organic waste and protect local resources.

  • Meet Sustainability Goals

    Track progress towards zero waste and reduce environmental impact.

  • Reduce Disposal Costs

    Lower fees through smarter sorting and organic waste management.

  • Comply With Waste Regulations

    Stay aligned with food waste bans and local mandates.

Our Food Waste Services

Commercial Collection - Helping organizations divert waste from landfills and contribute to a more circular economy Reliable pickup services for restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other businesses across the Northeast.

Residential Collection - Making sustainable living accessible to every community level
Partnering with municipalities and homeowners to offer countertop solutions as well as curbside and drop-off programs.

Composting – Supporting regenerative agriculture and healthy ecosystems
Transform food scraps into nutrient-rich soil products at compost operations, then use these locally made soils to enrich landscaping at your home or business.

Anaerobic Digestion - Producing clean energy that powers homes and businesses
Convert organic waste into renewable energy and value-added soil amendments at anaerobic digestion operations.

Dedicated Equipment & On-Site Solutions - Enabling efficient, on-site waste diversion and resource recovery
For large generators, such as grocery stores, colleges, and industrial manufacturers, we offer tailored processing systems that integrate seamlessly into your operations.

FoodCycler® by Casella - Empowering households and workplaces to contribute to zero-waste living
Our compact appliance FoodCycler, which reduces food waste volume by up to 90%, is perfect for homes or small offices.

Education & Outreach - Building awareness and engagement around sustainable practices
Customized signage, bins, and training programs help your team understand and participate in food waste diversion.

Closed-Loop Recycling - Creating circular systems that reduce waste and regenerate value
Turn your food scraps into resources you can use—like compost for landscaping or energy for operations.

  • Green waste collection truck equipped with an automated arm lifts a small green curbside bin overhead for emptying. A worker wearing a bright yellow high-visibility safety vest and gloves stands nearby on a wet pavement next to a white utility vehicle.

  • Person holds a large metal bowl filled with chopped carrots, onions, and vegetable stems, tipping the contents into a black plastic-lined compost bin with a round lid. Additional food scraps are visible inside the bin, and the setting appears to be a kitchen or food preparation area.

  • Two workers wearing bright yellow high-visibility safety vests and gloves manage green Casella organics carts in a snowy outdoor area next to a row of black food waste collection units. A large black truck with an open rear compactor is positioned for loading, and snow covers the ground and equipment.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to manage my food waste?

The best solution is to prevent food waste at the source. Edible food should be donated to those in need when possible. From there, we can help you evaluate your options and redirect the rest to compost, digestion, or animal feed.

Can food waste go in my recycling bin?

No. Food waste cannot be processed in recycling facilities, which are designed to sort clean materials (see casella.com/recyclebetter). Food waste needs to be collected separately and taken to a specialized facility, such as a compost site or anaerobic digester, for processing.

How does food waste impact the environment?

According to national data, forty percent of the food grown in this country goes uneaten; by reducing food waste, we could save water, energy, and land. When food goes to a landfill or incinerator, the carbon and nutrient value is lost; by returning it to soil through compost or other methods, we can rebuild depleted farmland. More information and statistics can be found here.

Is food waste recycling required by law?

Many states have food waste recycling laws, including the ones linked below. New requirements are phasing in each year, so you should check locally to confirm the rules in your area.

Conneticut: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/waste-management-and-disposal/organics-recycling/commercial-organics-recycling-law

Maryland: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/RecyclingandOperationsprogram/Pages/Solid-Waste-Management---Organics-Recycling-and-Waste-Diversion---Food-Residuals.aspx

Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/guides/commercial-food-material-disposal-ban

New Hampshire: https://www.des.nh.gov/waste/solid-waste/waste-reduction-and-diversion

New York: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/recycling-composting/organic-materials-management/food-donation-scraps-recycling-law

Vermont: https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/solid/materials-mgmt/organic-materials

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