New York State Budget Includes Food Waste Mandate

Earlier this week, New York lawmakers passed a state budget that includes a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags. The $175.5 billion budget also includes a measure that mandates food waste in the state must be either donated or recycled.

According to a Syracuse.com report, the rule applies to businesses including hotels, supermarkets, colleges, large restaurants and correctional facilities that produce an annual average of at least 2 tons of food waste per week at a single location and are within 25 miles of a recycling facility. The regulation does not apply to businesses in New York City.

The measure aims to reduce waste sent to landfills and cut down on methane emissions.

Syracuse.com has more information:

Businesses in New York that produce large amounts of food waste will now be required to sort their leftovers and donate edible items.

The requirement was included in the state budget, passed early Monday. The measure is meant to help divert food from landfills and incinerators, according to Newsday.

Any scraps that can't be donated will have to be sent to an "organics recycler" for composting or other use, Newsday said.

Read the full article here.