Missouri Organic Recycling

Battling the Obesity, Food Waste and Hunger Conundrum: Halfsies

2012-02-20T04:50:13Z

You have likely heard the paradox: 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. is thrown away (enough food trash to fill the Rose Bowl every day), yet it’s now estimated that one in seven people in the world does not have enough to eat (1 billion people). Add to that the fact that 66 percent Americans are overweight from eating increasingly large portion sizes, and you have a dysfunctional feedback loop of waste, hunger and obesity.

Halfsies is a new project designed to help reconfigure this system, giving restaurant diners the option of eating half a portion size – thus creating less waste and fat – and donating a portion of the plate’s cost to charity. While still in the initial stages, the idea is that restaurants will easily be able to offer “halfsies” on the menu, keying information in their POS system to track donations.

Sydney Berry Ling, Co-Founder and Communications Director explains. “What makes Halfsies unique is the 3-fold impact of a customer choosing to “Go Halfsies,” which provides a healthier meal portion, reduces food waste and supports the fight against hunger. It’s a win-win-win. Plus, it is an ongoing choice, not just something available one day or a week out of the year. It is sustainable.”

While the idea has attracted admirers, it will never solve the complex problems of obesity and world hunger. But the idea of educating eaters about how these issues are intertwined is clearly a step in the right direction.

Thus far the group has created some slick looking pamphlets and a video, but getting time with busy restaurant owners to sell them on the idea has been a challenge. The group is still also looking for funding.

A Composting… Toilet?

2012-02-16T16:53:42Z

Long gone are the days of kids flushing brussel sprouts and peas down the toilet and having to call a plumber. Composting toilets can now do the job of traditional composting. And apparently they offer a number of benefits.

They’re eco-friendly – Most models use less than one pint of water per flush. The others are entirely waterless. This is an excellent feature considering the drought that the U.S. has been experiencing over the past couple of years.
The element of safety – With natural disasters occurring more frequently, disaster preparedness is a must. Composting toilets require no sewer connections, they provide a safe and sanitary restroom facility after earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
It’s a great topic of conversation – Who wouldn’t want to talk about a composting toilet? It’s a great way not only to show people that you’ve really gone green, but to also convince others to do the same.

Click here to read more about composting toilets.

Would you consider buying a composting toilet?

Information and image from Greener Ideal

Veterans Canteen Service Keeps Kitchen Waste Out of Landfills

2012-02-15T17:46:44Z

Cooking Oil and Food Waste Are Targeted

WASHINGTON, Feb 14, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) of the Department of Veterans Affairs is piloting two initiatives that should keep nearly 600,000 pounds of kitchen waste out of U.S. landfills in 2012.

“VA is committed to cutting our waste in half by 2015, and these initiatives will be a big step toward achieving that goal,” said VCS Director Marilyn Iverson. “Recycling and conservation benefits VA, the Veterans we serve and our environment.”

A cooking oil recycling pilot program began Jan. 18 and will continue for 30 days. VCS is partnering with Quest Recycling, based in Frisco, Texas, to recycle used cooking oil generated at the VCS’s Patriot Cafes located in several locations — West Palm Beach, Fla.; St. Louis; and Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Temple, Texas.

VCS estimates it will be able to recycle approximately 583,000 pounds of cooking oil per year and will also realize some safety benefits as new equipment will minimize food associates’ contact with hot oil and kitchen equipment. Used cooking oil recycling will also support VA’s Sustainability goals of 50 percent waste diversion rate by 2015 and 30 percent reduction in Green House Gas emissions by 2020.

The pilot results will be analyzed promptly in anticipation of an aggressive national roll out to 170 additional locations at a rate of 20 locations per month.

VCS and the Martinsburg VA Medical Center’s Nutrition and Food Service Group have also partnered in a composting pilot at the VCS Martinsburg Patriot Cafe location. The pilot composts kitchen waste from the preparation of VCS food products. The pilot began Dec. 19, 2011 and ended Jan. 31. Early reports revealed positive results, with VCS composting about 30 pounds of kitchen waste per week.

The Martinsburg VA Medical Center developed the original composting system and received a VA Sustainability Achievement Award and a GreenGov Presidential Award in 2010 for the system’s design and the sustainability results.

The Martinsburg composting design will be used to create standard composting policies and procedures for future VCS Patriot Cafes. VCS is actively pursuing composting pilots with VA medical centers in West Palm Beach, Fla.; and San Francisco, San Diego, and Palo Alto, Calif.

VCS employees provide retail, food and vending services at VA facilities across the country. Proceeds within VCS are used to support many VA initiatives, including VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events, the homeless initiative, Fisher Houses and programs for Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs