Complying With Food Waste Regulations: What Every Restaurant Should Know

Food waste management has become a pressing concern for restaurants. Local governments enforce laws that require businesses to handle surplus food and organic material responsibly. These food waste disposal regulations can affect how waste is stored, transported, and disposed of.

Because there are no federal food waste laws for restaurants in the United States, these businesses need to pay attention to local and state requirements to avoid fines, legal action, and closure.

The Rising Importance of Food Waste Compliance

Food waste is not only an environmental challenge but also a regulatory issue. Various laws are intended to reduce the amount of organic material going to landfills. For restaurants, this often translates into obligations to separate food scraps, divert edible surplus to donation programs, or work with certified haulers that handle composting or anaerobic digestion.

That being said, regulators are more aggressively targeting the reduction of food waste from restaurants, hotels, and institutional kitchens. As landfill bans and mandatory diversion rules expand, restaurants must ensure their practices align with what local authorities expect.

Common Food Waste Regulations Restaurants Face

Because regulations vary, the requirements a restaurant faces in California may look very different from those in New York, Massachusetts, or a smaller city with its own organics ordinance. Some of the most common types of rules pertaining to restaurant food waste include:

• Organic Waste Bans: Certain states prohibit businesses from sending food waste to landfills if they generate over a threshold amount. Instead, restaurants might need to separate and arrange for composting or surplus food collection.
• Donation Requirements: Some jurisdictions encourage or require businesses to donate edible surplus food to food banks or charitable organizations when safe to do so.
• Mandatory Separation: City laws targeting restaurants and food waste may require businesses to provide separate containers for food scraps, recycling, and trash. These rules can extend to front-of-house bins for customers.
• Hauler and Processor Standards: Restaurants might be required to use licensed haulers or approved processing facilities for organic waste, with documentation to show compliance.
• Recordkeeping and Reporting: Some laws require regular reporting of disposal activities or proof of donation to meet compliance standards.

Because rules vary widely, restaurants should review the specific laws in their jurisdiction and work with their waste service provider to confirm compliance steps.

Tips to Keep Your Restaurant Compliant

Compliance is not only about reducing restaurant food waste but also about documenting and managing it in line with regulations. A few steps that may help restaurants stay on track include:

1. Understand Local Requirements
   Begin by researching state and city rules that apply to your restaurant. Contacting your local environmental or sanitation department can provide clarity on obligations.
2. Set Up a Waste Separation System
   Provide clear signage and color-coded bins for staff and customers. Train employees to separate food waste, recyclables, and trash correctly.
3. Work With Approved Haulers
   Partner with waste management providers that are licensed and knowledgeable about local food waste disposal regulations. Ask for documentation of where your waste is taken.
4. Keep Records
   Maintain receipts, donation logs, or hauling invoices. These records may be requested by inspectors to demonstrate compliance.
5. Train Your Team
   Employees play a critical role in compliance. Regular training sessions can help staff stay consistent with proper sorting and disposal practices.
6. Audit Your Waste Streams
   Periodic reviews can help identify areas where separation practices may be slipping or where additional training is needed.
7. Plan for Donations
   Partner with local charities or food banks to donate edible surplus. While not always mandatory, donation programs can reduce disposal costs and benefit the community.

Benefits of Compliance Beyond Avoiding Fines

Knowing how to reduce food waste in restaurants has advantages that go beyond avoiding penalties. Restaurants that build strong waste management systems may experience:

• Reduced Operating Costs: By separating waste and donating edible food, disposal volumes can shrink, potentially lowering hauling fees.
• Improved Reputation: Many customers value sustainability and social responsibility. Compliance shows a commitment to both.
• Operational Efficiency: Regular audits and waste tracking can highlight purchasing or preparation inefficiencies, leading to smarter inventory practices.
• Environmental Impact: Diverting food from landfills reduces methane emissions and contributes to broader sustainability goals in the community.

For many restaurants, compliance can be positioned as both a regulatory responsibility and a business opportunity.

Partner With Global Trash Solutions

Control of food waste in restaurants is becoming more important than ever. The rules may seem complex, but proper waste separation, training, and recordkeeping can help. At Global Trash Solutions, we aim to help simplify compliance and reduce food waste costs.

Our experts can help design a waste management program tailored to your business’s needs. We work with hotels and restaurants of all sizes. Call 866-760-8194 to learn more.