According to The U.S. Department of Agriculture, 30-40% of the food in America is wasted.

In Connecticut, businesses are facing waste reduction challenges; traditional options for waste disposal are diminishing or becoming more expensive, and costs continue to increase. Recently, I learned that we have a resource to help businesses tackle this problem.

With support from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, CET has provided free support to nearly 100 Connecticut businesses to reduce, reuse, and recycle. An environmental non-profit, they offer free assistance that centers the business, looking at waste through a lens that saves money, improves employee job satisfaction, and integrates sustainable practices into the day-to-day.

CET provides custom recommendations to help identify more beneficial uses for your wasted food. When visiting their website (https://www.cetonline.org/waste-assistance-connecticut), you can see the numerous opportunities for wasted food diversion.

From finding ways to properly divert wasted food, improving recycling systems, and donating building materials from construction and renovation projects (did you know that up to 70% of home building materials can be recycled?). 

Handling our waste with care is a way to take care of our community. It opens the door for more food donation, less strain on our landfills, and has the potential to improve the bottom line of our local businesses.

Connecticut businesses can take advantage of this free service by email reducewastect@cetonline.org or phone 888-410-3827.