The organic waste division program was recently implemented with a dozen businesses jumping into this first-time offering.
According to the news release, the initial participants have enjoyed cost savings by adding food waste recycling.
R.C. Ferris, recycling coordinator for Republic Services, said: “Getting an organics recycling program has challenges but none of these businesses was daunted by that challenge.”
Antioch businesses taking on the new recycling opportunity are Celias’s Mexican Restaurant, China City, County Market, Denny’s Restaurant (both locations) Little Manuel’s, Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center, Grocery Outlet (A Street), Los Tres Reyes, Jack in the Box (Hillcrest Avenue), Riverview Lodge, and Smart & Final.
“These businesses have excelled at getting their employees on board and riding through the rocky parts on the initial rollout,” said Ferris, who is encouraging the businesses to work out the kinks while the service is offered at no charge.
“At first we were a little concerned because when you have the trash that a busy event center and golf course has, if you get back up of removal or challenges for scheduling and ease, it can be difficult and a problem,” Ron Parish, general manager at Lone Tree Golf, said.
“We have found that the cans used in the kitchen for plant scraps and trash really help make the program doable and convenient,” he said. “And, an upside is our regular trash containers, which previously had these wastes in them, are now more manageable and easily handled. Sometimes getting over the hurdle of ‘change’ and into something new can be beneficial once your team gets their arms around it.
“It’s also a source of pride for our business associates to support a green initiative.”
Also happy with the program is Cynthia Sidrian, owner of Little Manuel’s.
Said Ferris: “She has been an amazing supporter, adapting to challenges as they came. “Little Manuel’s is committed to waste prevention and also embraces the ‘straws only given on request’ policy,” one of the first restaurants in Antioch to do this.
“(We’re) grateful to these early adopters for their willingness to start organics collection.”
In many cases these businesses are stepping up before their waste level prompt action under California’s Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling legislation (MORe, AB1826). The law phases in the requirements for businesses, including multifamily residential dwellings that consist of five or more units, over time based on the amount and type of waste the business produces on a weekly basis, with full implementation realized in 2019.
To read the full story, visit https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/02/16/reastaurants-team-up-with-recycler-to-cut-down-on-food-waste/.