Press Release  New Report: MassDEP Food Waste Ban Boosts Business

BOSTON — A recent report quantifies the substantial economic impact of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) ban on commercial food waste disposal. This initiative is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, generating jobs and revenue.

Key report findings include:

• Creating 1,676 well-paying jobs, resulting in $143 million in labor income;
• Generating $194 million in economic value (in addition to the labor income and intermediate inputs); and
• Cumulatively generating more than $390 million in industry activity.

"Massachusetts is a leader in reducing food waste," said Governor Maura Healey. "Our state’s businesses and institutions have stepped up to innovate and reduce their waste, and this report shows that the long-term impacts are positive. Finding an alternative to throwing away good food is a boost for our communities, our economy, and our environment."

"This report reaffirms our commitment to reduce, reuse, and recycle here in Massachusetts," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Massachusetts has created the necessary infrastructure to ensure good, healthy food does not go to waste. For our cities and towns, this means getting food to those who need it first and foremost. It means jobs for our residents, and it conserves resources and supports local budgets."

The disposal ban targets businesses and institutions that produce over half a ton of food waste weekly, including supermarkets, colleges, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, and food service providers. These entities must redirect their food waste from landfills to sustainable solutions such as food recovery services, composting, and anaerobic digestion – turning organic waste into renewable energy.

The number of facilities participating in food waste services has notably increased from 1,350 in 2014 to an estimated 4,150 by 2024. This growth has stimulated economic activity in related sectors, benefiting communities across the state.

"This report confirms what we’ve long known that banning food waste is not just an environmental win but also an economic one," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "By reducing waste, creating jobs, and lowering costs, this policy helps build stronger communities and a more resilient economy."

"These results illustrate how our food waste ban is protecting the environment while helping businesses," said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. "The food waste ban is a critical piece of our strategy to reduce waste. But it does so much more. The program lowers disposal costs, reduces methane emissions, creates clean energy, produces nutrient-rich fertilizer for our farms, supports jobs, strengthens the economy, and helps get good food to people in need. We’re proud of this success and excited to build on it."

As more businesses engage with food collection programs, awareness about food waste issues continues to grow, promoting initiatives for food rescue, donation, and waste prevention. Additionally, MassDEP funds RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts, which is a resource for businesses providing free technical assistance and online resources to support their recycling and diversion efforts. RecyclingWorks has helped divert more than 325,000 tons of material from disposal since 2013. For more information on RecyclingWorks, visit their website.

For more information on the Commercial Food Material Disposal Ban program, visit the MassDEP webpage.

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