Many Humboldt residents, businesses, and schools are concerned about our growing food waste problem and have been changing daily habits and integrating waste reduction into their business operations. Why reduce food waste?
Food and other organics that are landfilled create methane, a potent greenhouse gas emission contributing to the climate crisis. Too many Humboldt residents –including children– go hungry. Donating edible food to our local food banks is necessary to take care of our less fortunate residents. Enriching our soil through food waste composting is investing in our future. With training and public education, ZWH is here to encourage us to learn from each other how to reduce food waste.
The Humboldt Waste Management Authority and local jurisdictions have contracted with Evan Edgar Associates to assist local governments in complying with SB1383 and developing regionwide services. Contact your local government and HWMA to keep apprised of new developments and improved services for food waste reduction.

• Edible Food Rescue Capacity Assessment (Nov 2021)

• City of Arcata Summary of Outreach to Food Businesses (Jan-Feb 2022)

• US Environmental Protection Agency Resources for Sustainable Food Management and Reducing Food Waste

• CalRecycle Food Waste Reduction Resources

• Local Resources and Tips for Reducing Food Waste

• Presentation to Humboldt Progressive Democrats

• Presentation with Julie Neander to HUUF Climate Action Campaign

• Food Waste Solutions Video -Juliette Bohn, ZWH Zero Waste Solutions Speaker Series (10-29-2015)

For the most efficient method to reduce food waste and achieve the highest and best use of discarded or surplus food, the US E.P.A. Hierarchy for Food Waste Recovery is widely used. “Source Reduction” is best understood as ”Waste Prevention” at the source, and at the point-of-purchase.

Food waste prevention is the top priority, through proactive decision-making, advance planning, and training to minimize surplus, leftovers, and spoilage.
Edible food rescue to feed people is the 2nd priority and widespread practice in coordination with Humboldt’s excellent network of pantries and food recovery organizations.
Working with local farmers to provide animal feed is the 3rd priority.
Working with local food waste collection services for composting into a rich soil amendment is the 4 th priority. Finally, local governments are working cooperatively to develop centralized processing and other future services.
California Food Waste Reduction Legislation

Zero Waste Humboldt specializes in providing waste reduction solutions
through public education, advocacy, and technical assistance and training.

ZWH provides services on traditional Wiyot territory. We are learning to participate in processes to acknowledge historical atrocities, honor the sovereignty of Native Tribes/Nations, and find ways to engage in developing deeper relationships and true partnerships with our neighbors of Wiyot and other indigenous ancestry. To support the efforts of the Wiyot Tribe and to learn more, contact: http://www.honortax.org/   and https://www.wiyot.us/ .