Compost Awareness Week: Time to Level Up Your Organics Program

You’ve Started—Now Let’s Optimize

If you’re already collecting food scraps in your prep stations, you’re ahead of the curve. But Compost Awareness Week is the perfect moment to take a closer look at what’s still slipping through the cracks—and how to capture more with minimal operational strain.

At Reduction In Motion, we help organizations identify gaps, optimize processes, and maximize the amount of organic material diverted from landfill. Whether you need training, infrastructure upgrades, or a fresh set of eyes—we’re here to help.

5 Commonly Overlooked Compost Collection Opportunities

1. Coffee Stations: A Quiet Source of High-Volume Waste

Coffee grounds and paper filters belong in the compost bin—but too often, they still end up in the trash.

Quick fix:

• Place a compost bin next to your coffee machine.
• Include these areas in regular waste collection routes.

It’s an easy win that adds up fast across multiple break areas or kitchens.

2. Events and Gatherings: Don’t Let Short-Term Events Create Long-Term Waste

Even well-planned events generate food scraps, compostable disposables, and plate waste. Often, these don’t make it into the compost stream.

Strategies:

• Work with vendors to source compostable ware or reusable serviceware.
• Train volunteers or staff to guide sorting at high-volume touchpoints or behind the scenes from bussing stations.

Small changes at events can prevent large-scale waste and model sustainability for guests and clients.

3. Food Donation Before Composting: Feed People First

Every compost program should begin with the question: Is this food still edible?

Food donation not only prevents waste but supports community organizations. Concerns about liability often stop people in their tracks—but legal protections exist and are stronger than ever.

• Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act – Protects donors from liability when donating food in good faith.
• Food Donation Improvement Act (FDIA) – Expands protections to include direct donations to individuals or nonprofits.

Follow simple safety guidelines and this can become a powerful layer of your waste diversion strategy.

4. Dry Storage and Walk-In Clean-Outs: Where Waste Hides in Plain Sight

Expired packaged food, bulk items, and dry goods get tossed during deep cleans or monthly purges—often without assessing if they could be used or composted.

What to look for:

• Unopened dry goods past best-by dates
• Produce in walk-ins that’s wilted but edible
• Bulk bins or inventory close to expiration

Create a process for review and recovery before clean-outs, to save on waste.

5. Tray Return: Sort it Out Behind the Scenes

Tray returns often contain overlooked organic waste, especially in settings where trays are collected and returned to a central kitchen or dish area. Don’t let this material slip through the cracks.

Actions:

• Ensure food scraps and packaging are properly sorted between compost and trash during tray return.
• Clearly label compost bins in internal kitchens, dish rooms, and back-of-house areas.
• Reinforce that composting protocols apply site-wide—not just in the main kitchen.

Even small amounts of residual waste on trays can add up quickly when consistently recovered.

How Reduction In Motion Can Help

You’ve already taken the first steps. Now it’s time to fine-tune. We offer onsite support and strategic planning to help you:

• Audit overlooked waste streams
• Expand compost infrastructure
• Train staff for better participation and accuracy
• Build food donation processes
• Track improvements and report outcomes

No fluff—just clear, practical action tailored to your space, people, and goals.

This Compost Awareness Week, don’t just celebrate—elevate. Let’s find the next layer of opportunity together.

Reach out to Reduction In Motion today and get the support you need to take your program further.