CITY OF LAS CRUCES CURB YOUR WASTE - FOOD RECYCLING PROJECT

Food Waste Reduction - Too much food is simply discarded, where it ends up in the landfill. The program will also have an educational component, teaching people about the importance of reducing food waste, composting, and sustainable living. This education will empower residents, particularly our disadvantaged populations, giving them the tools and knowledge to make more sustainable decisions, and improving their quality of life. In addition, reduced food waste can also potentially lower overall food prices, which will indirectly contribute to food affordability for low-income individuals and families.Diversion of Surplus Food to Beneficial Use - One of the critical goals of food waste reduction is to redirect surplus food, that would otherwise be wasted, to those who are in need. By educating families, businesses and farms on how to recover and where to distribute surplus food, this program will directly improve food security among disadvantaged populations.Diversion of Food Waste from the Landfill - Diverting food waste from landfills reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as food waste in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas.Create Jobs - This program will encourage the creation of jobs in various sectors, such as food recovery, composting facilities, transportation, and waste management as the programs mature and expand.ObjectivesFood Waste ReductionEducate people about the importance of reducing food waste, composting, and sustainable living.Improve food security among disadvantaged populations.Food Waste CollectionTest approaches to collection of food waste, both weekly or biweekly. It will also determine whether trucks need to be reconfigured to handle food waste or if an addition of a separate fleet dedicated to food waste collection.Identify potential operational issues for the Clean Landfill regarding the proper handling of these organic materials.Diversion of Surplus Food to Beneficial UseEducate people on how to save and recover unused food.Increase food supply to organizations that re-distribute food to families in need.Diversion of Food Waste from the LandfillReduce Greenhouse Gas emissions.Use food waste to create an enhanced compost fertilizer.Reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.Create JobsEncourage the creation of jobs in various sectors, such as food recovery, composting facilities, transportation, and waste management.