Food is the largest component of Oregon's waste stream and has major negative environmental impacts when it decays in landfills and creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Methane accounts for about 10% of all human-driven greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
Despite efforts by many different companies, governments, nonprofits and individuals to prevent food waste and recover food waste across the state, Oregon faces significant challenges increasing food waste recovery and reducing the environmental impacts of food waste disposal. Oregon established the goal of recovering 25% of food waste by 2020 but did not meet that goal, recovering only 10% in 2020.
Goal
To increase and improve the recovery of unavoidable food waste to make use of its remaining value and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Developing a Statewide Organics Recovery Strategy
Oregon DEQ has initiated work to develop a comprehensive statewide strategy that addresses the challenges associated with significantly increasing organics recovery and reducing the impacts of food waste disposal. This strategy will be informed by planning, research, and outreach.
For more information, please see our factsheet Developing Oregon’s Statewide Organics Strategy.
Research
DEQ’s statewide Compost Infrastructure and End-Market Study examines Oregon’s current capacity to recover food waste and what will be needed to expand recovery in the future. The study found that Oregon has existing and untapped processing capacity, but access varies significantly across regions in the state. Increasing food waste recovery will require more than building new facilities—it will also depend on reducing contamination, expanding collection, strengthening compost markets, and directing investments to areas with the greatest need.