Composting for your business

Businesses can save money, through better food efficiency and planning. For every $1 a business invests in reducing food waste they can save $14. As landfill costs rise, diverting compostable and recyclable items is not only better for the environment but it is better for your wallet. And if you are in the habit of buying compost for your garden, creating your own is great for the environment and your wallet.

By creating a compost, Bokashi or worm farm or by sending your food scraps to an organic facility you can help create nutrient dense soil to help grow more food. By reducing the need for landfills we reduce land contamination. A healthy whenua (land) is fundamental to our Hauora; our physical, mental, spiritual, and social wellbeing.

When food is wasted it goes to landfill and emits methane which contributes to climate change and is at least 20 times the potency of carbon dioxide. Reducing food waste helps lowers greenhouse gas emissions in the food production process, and emissions from the decomposition of food waste in landfill. This is why reducing food waste is ranked as the third best global solution in addressing climate change.

A lot of the food we throw away is avoidable food waste – meaning it is food that could be eaten. Redistributing good quality, surplus food to those who need it can have a positive impact by reducing food poverty and increasing food security and community resilience. Check out the work of On The House, working with businesses including supermarkets, cafes, restaurants to recover food and serve it for free to people who need it.

The Government announced (2023) plans to get businesses ready to separate food scraps from general waste by 2030. This new legislation is being progressed alongside proposed new waste legislation that will affect most businesses and organisations that produce waste.