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This tool has been developed to track existing data searches for Plastics Projects assigned to the Environmental Decision Analytics Branch (EDAB) under SHC7. Primary data used for research tracked under this tool will be required to follow the project QMP and/or QAPP approved under the Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER), Land Remediation & Technology Division (LRTD).
The U.S. is committed to reducing food waste by 50% by 2030. To divert food waste from landfills, OLEM promotes anaerobic digestion and composting of food waste; however, contamination of food waste with packaging (including film plastics) may complicate composting and anaerobic digestion operations and decrease the market desirability and safety of land application of the compost and digestate made from food waste. De-packaging technologies (beyond screens and filters) are increasingly being used by large food waste generators and treatment facilities as primary means of removing plastics. This product will test the performance of de-packaging equipment available on the market in real-world settings. Research will characterize the plastics, including quantity and particle size, in food waste streams before and after the use of de-packaging technologies. The results from this study will be useful to OLEM, restaurant and commercial kitchen operators, food retailers, composters, and wastewater treatment facility staff across the U.S. as they seek to exclude plastics (including microplastics) from the food waste stream.
EPA report or peer-reviewed publication
Food waste, landfill diversion, waste management, sustainable materials management, plastics, food de-packaging.
This work is related to additional food waste research under SHC RA7, including life-cycle analyses of various approaches to managing food waste. This product will be informed by the findings of Product 4.2: Food Waste “State of the Science” Report.
Daniel Young, CESER
David Meyer, CESER
Shannon Kenny, ORD/IOAA; Tim Torma, ORD/IOAA
Cheryl Coleman, OLEM/ORCR; Lana Suarez, OLEM/ORCR
10/2019
Testing protocols completed, identification of technologies and locations of sites to be tested finalized (Q4/2021)
(Subject to successful identification of test locations/ tech in milestone 1) On-site sampling and testing completed, results documented. (Q4/2022)
EPA report or peer reviewed article published. (Q2/2022)
04/2022
FoodWaste is developed and maintained by Office of Research & Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Solutions & Emergency Response (CESER), Land Remediation & Technology Division (LRTD), Environmental Decision Analytics Branch (EDAB), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, under Mozilla Public License Version 2.0. See OMB Memorandum M-16-21 Section 4 & Releasing Open Source Code.