New York State generates a staggering 4 million tons of excess food annually. This surplus, which accounts for roughly 17% of the state’s municipal solid waste stream, often ends up in landfills. There, it decomposes, releasing methane—a greenhouse gas with 25 times the heat-trapping potential of carbon dioxide. Organic waste in landfills is the largest source of methane emissions in New York.
The good news is that the state is not without tools to address this. By diverting food waste from landfills, New York’s Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Program has not only reduced methane emissions but has also reallocated food to those in need, addressing both climate change and food insecurity. But as we move forward, it’s clear that more must be done.
Consider this: about 25% of the food we buy goes to waste. At the same time, over 2.5 million New Yorkers struggle with food insecurity, lacking consistent access to sufficient food. The irony is painful—millions of tons of food are sent to landfills, squandering the resources used to produce it and missing the opportunity to feed the hungry.
This is where the expansion of the Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Program comes into play. Passed by the legislature earlier this year, the expansion will progressively lower the threshold for food scrap generators required to participate in the program. It will also extend coverage to food scrap generators located within 50 miles of a food waste recycling center.
This expansion is not just a legislative victory; it’s a strategic move endorsed by New York’s Climate Scoping Plan and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Solid Waste Management Plan. When fully implemented, this legislation will ensure that 99% of large food scrap generators outside New York City manage their waste sustainably, increasing the amount of food waste recycled by 42%.
This expansion is more than a policy change—it’s a commitment to a more sustainable future, where food waste is minimized, methane emissions are reduced, and food insecurity is tackled head-on.
As the League continues to advocate for Governor Hochul to sign this measure, please join us by signing our letter of support for the Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Program.