Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)

Station 6Consumption and Waste City of Ashland Climate and Energy Action Plan Open HouseGoals, Strategies, and Actions: Strategy 3. Reduce food waste Food waste nationally is estimated to be 30-40% of the food supply. Reducing food waste reduces methane emissions from landfill and conserves energy and resources associated with the food supply chain. Reducing food waste is a key component in consumption and waste reduction efforts, and potential actions include: • Seeking federal grant funds for a public education campaign to promote food waste reduction by residents. • Providing a best practices guide for commercial kitchens to find efficiencies and opportunities to reduce food waste through better planning, purchasing, storage, and preparation. • Supporting food waste-to-fuel/energy efforts, including locally produced biodiesel and biofuels. • Working with the food bank to support edible food donations. 3Place “dot” here to support Strategy Strategy 4. Improve sustainability of City purchases and procurement The City’s purchasing and procurement activities also result in consumption-related emissions. Sustainable purchasing by the City can support products that increase resource efficiency and reduce waste. Potential actions include: • Introducing environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) guidelines for City procurement. • Conducting a feasibility study at the wastewater treatment facility for co-digestion of food waste and biosolids for power generation. • Promoting online citizen services (e.g., bill pay) to reduce paper use and car trips to City offices. 4Place “dot” here to support Strategy