Clinton Co. Health Dept. awarded $200K to reduce food waste

PLATTSBURGH | The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) awarded the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) a two-year, $200,000 grant to reduce food waste throughout Clinton County. CCHD will be expanding upon its Eat Smart, Waste Less Clinton County project (2019-2022) and plans to: Provide outreach and education on home-based food waste reduction strategies Partner with small businesses to establish and implement food waste reduction and recycling policiesand practices Increase the number and accessibility of food waste drop-off sites and tools/resources for wastemanagement "A family of four throws away an average of $1,500 worth of food each year and local data tells us that more than 9 in 10 Clinton County residents think reducing food waste was important," explained Cody Douglas, Public Health Educator in CCHD's Division of Health Planning & Promotion. "By encouraging food waste reduction strategies, CCHD is working to put money back in the pockets of Clinton County families, improve food security, and reduce Clinton County's carbon footprint." In January 2022, New York State passed the New York State Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law which requires businesses and institutions that generate an annual average of two tons of wasted food per week to: Donate excess edible food Recycle all remaining food scraps if they are within 25 miles of an organics recycler (composting facility, anaerobic digester, etc.) In Clinton County, there are currently two organics recyclers – Casella and River Valley Regeneratives LLC (RiVR). "We have had the pleasure of working with the Clinton County Health Department in the past and look forward to supporting this next campaign to help residents and communities reduce disposal costs, increase local food opportunities, save landfill space, and improve soil health," expressed Jennifer Perry, Owner/Operator of RiVR and Organics Recycling Coordinator at Adirondack North Country Association. Casella's Clinton County Solid Waste & Recycling Facility General Manager Sean Lukas stated, "We are impressed with the forward-thinking and practical approach that the Clinton County Health Department has utilized to engage with the community and become more sustainable. Our goals remain aligned, and with this new grant, we look forward to continuing to preserve natural resources and utilizing waste streams for a higher and better use." If you would like to participate with Eat Smart, Waste Less Clinton County or are interested in learning how you can reduce food waste, call 518-565-4993 or visit CCHD on the web at health.clintoncountyny.gov/foodwastereduction.

Signup for our newsletter

Clinton Co. Health Dept. awarded $200K to reduce food waste

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS