Category Archives: Composting

Friday Buffet

A Whole Foods worker wanted to eat one of the 30 tuna fish sandwiches that he was supposed to throw away. He set it aside and then the boss objected and threw it out. The guy was then fired for proposing to eat something that was going to be thrown out anyway. Nice. The worker […]

March 20, 2009 | Also posted in Friday Buffet, Household, Restaurant, Supermarket | Comments closed

Recession Concessions

Sometimes a little belt tightening is healthy. Lord knows we’ve had our national belt on pretty loosely these last few decades. The economic downturn might help by forcing businesses and individuals to examine their habits. This USA Today piece on hotel budget trimming had this tidbit buried toward the end: When [the] Hilton Anaheim anticipates […]

March 17, 2009 | Also posted in General, Supermarket, Waste Stream | Comments closed

Recyclemania Reduction Rant

It’s mid-March, which means it’s time for the ultimate collegiate competition. No, not the NCAA Tournament, RecycleMania! That also means it’s time for my annual RecycleMania rant! The college recycling competition, which began 2001 under the auspices of the National Recycling Coalition, is generally a very positive undertaking. But, the “targeted materials” category of “food service […]

March 16, 2009 | Also posted in College, General | Comments closed

War on Waste, junior edition

I’m sure we could all use a heart-warming story these days. Right on cue, students at Otto Petersen Elementary in Scappoose, Ore., are determined to reduce food waste. More specifically, one fourth-grade class challenged the sixth-grade class to see who could waste less. They also set out to reduce paper and plastic waste, with the […]

March 5, 2009 | Also posted in School | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

The Ohio EPA is teaming up with grocers to try to get them to compost their food waste. As much as 70 percent of some stores’ trash is food waste! — — Meanwhile, students at Santa Clara found that 42 percent of their trash was food waste. And 70 percent could have been recycled in […]

February 27, 2009 | Also posted in College, School, Supermarket, Waste Stream | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

Nice to see the UN taking the issue of food waste seriously. Now how about the US? (More on this topic on Monday.) — — British chefs provide some insight on really using up all of your food. French-fried potato peels? Now that’s crafty. — — The ValuWaste system is popular at Seattle University. Despite […]

February 20, 2009 | Also posted in College, Friday Buffet, International, Waste Stream | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

Santa Barbara has had a commercial composting pilot program for the last two years. Now they’ve hired a consultant to ascertain whether or not people think it’s ‘yucky.’ My guess: yes. My hope: no. — — The idea of going fridgeless is interesting. While I fear it could mean more food waste, which could undo […]

February 6, 2009 | Also posted in Energy, Farm, Food Recovery, Friday Buffet, Household, School | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

A vermicomposter in every kitchen? GreenWiggler provides the knowhow for a simple, D.I.Y. worm bin. — — A Notre Dame student plans to start a composting program. And not a moment too soon, as the average Golden Dome diner wastes more than a quarter pound (5.03 ounces) per meal. — — While things are looking up […]

January 30, 2009 | Also posted in College, Household, International, Vermiculture | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

The Wall Street Journal: Hotels are doing their best to cut costs, including food waste, as the economy struggles. You think? — — As I’ve previously written, my favorite Japanese word is Mottainai! — — 8 things you should know about expiration dates, courtesy of me, via Culinate. — — The Laziest Man on Earth […]

January 23, 2009 | Also posted in Events, Friday Buffet, Household, International | Comments closed

Change That Looks Back

Happy Monday and Happy Martin Luther King Day. I hope you’re honoring Dr. King in whatever manner you see fit. In case you’ve been in a cave, Tuesday we swear in Barack Obama as the 44th President. Regardless of your political persuasion, there’s no arguing that it will be a historic day (and in my […]

January 19, 2009 | Also posted in History and Culture | Comments closed