Toward Zero Food Waste Workshop

Towards Zero Waste is on the rise across Whatcom County:


BELLINGHAM, WA, May 22, 2017 - Sustainable Connections announces that their Toward Zero Waste Campaign (TZW) has now provided waste reductions services to over 500 businesses since the campaign started in 2008, and thanks in part to support by the Alcoa Foundation, the TZW Campaign will serve another 50 businesses by July 2017.
Through the Toward Zero Waste campaign, Sustainable Connections provides free technical assistance to Whatcom County businesses and events, and helps local organizations drastically reduce the amount of waste they produce by shifting purchasing choices, fine-tuning recycling and composting programs, and increasing staff education and training.
Over the years, this program has seen many successes and also identified areas of critical need when it comes to waste reduction. One large accomplishment has been the increase in the number of Towards Zero Waste events across Whatcom County. With many large events now serving food, thoughtful planning for waste reduction can mean an 80% - or more - reduction in garbage. The Towards Zero Waste Campaign has helped events like SeaFeast, April Brews Day and the Chuckanut 50k successfully implemented Toward Zero Waste procedures.
In fact, with the help of Sustainable Connections, the Chuckanut 50k was one of the first races in the Nation to go “cupless” and required participants to carry their own water bottles on course while also providing reusable stainless steel cups for participant’s post-race beverages. In addition, all the vendors and exhibitors (including food vendors) were required to carry compostable or recyclable-only-items at their booths.
“Working with Sustainable Connections, learning their Towards Zero Way system and implementing their strategies helped the 25th running of the Chuckanut 50k embody my personal and professional goals,” says Krissy Moehl, Race Director for the Chuckanut 50k. “The TZW team provided a wealth of knowledge, they understand the complications of putting on an event, provided the tools to better explain our goals to the runners and community, and even showed up to sort and dial us in!”
Though we have seen positive growth in waste reduction for events and businesses in the community, the TZW program also identified a serious need to reduce food waste too, it’s estimated that only 10% of food based businesses in Whatcom County have food composting programs in place. Sustainable Connections aims to increase that number.


www.SustainableConnections.org
1701 Ellis St., Suite 221 Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: 360-647-7093 Fax: 360-594-4373


Sustainable Connections is a local non-profit membership organization of NW Washington business and community leaders working
to transform and model an economy built on sustainable practices. Visit www.sustainableconnections.org for more information.
“Many businesses have a misconception that it is costly or labor intensive to put a composting program in place. For many restaurants- especially for those that have table dining, the program can be implemented relatively easily and often saves money too.” said Mark Peterson, Sustainable Business and Towards Zero Waste Program Manager at Sustainable Connections.
Peterson has seen fantastic improvements at a number of local food businesses that have taken advantage of the TZW Campaign, including Good to Go Meat Pies in Everson and Lynden, who have set up such great recycling and composting programs that they only create about a half a can of garbage per week.
Sustainable Connections is holding a free waste reduction workshop for all food businesses on July 12 from 2-4pm. Learn from experts Mark Peterson, Rodd Pemble from SSC, and Holly Bevan-Bumford from Good to Go Meat Pies, about how you can reduce waste at your business; discuss challenges and solutions, and go home with a specialized TZW Toolkit and resources. Please RSVP by July 7th. While this workshop is tailored to food related businesses, all businesses are welcome. The organization will also be holding other industry specific workshops this year to assist with construction and office building waste. Businesses can register for the free workshops at www.SustainableConnections.org.
Businesses do not need to attend a workshop to take advantage of the many resources Sustainable Connections offers with recycling and composting, though. Any business can receive free assistance by signing up to participate in the Toward Zero Waste program on the Sustainable Business Development Program page, or by contacting Mark Peterson at Sustainable Connections: Markp@sustainbleconnections.org or 360-647-7093 x116.
What: Toward Zero Food Waste Workshop
When: Wednesday, July 12, 2-4pm
Where: Sustainable Connections, 1701 Ellis St, Ste 221
More info: sustainableconnections.org/events