Harckham Introduces Bill To Grow Food Scrap Recycling, Donations

PEEKSKILL, NY — A new bill was introduced in Albany that will expand the state's food scraps recycling and food donation program.

State Senator Pete Harckham, D-South Salem, said the bill, which essentially requires growing participation by various grocery stores, restaurants and other food scrap generators, is meant to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions caused from food production and disposal while helping to alleviate food insecurity in communities statewide.

"We need to do everything we can to fight the climate crisis," he said, "and a good place to start in lessening greenhouse gas emissions deals with the amount of food that is unused and thrown out each day."

Harckham’s newly introduced bill (S.9562) amends the environmental conservation law to add food scrap generators at different levels of food waste production in upcoming years.
Food waste generators averaging two tons or more of food per week between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2023, are required to join the program. Next are food waste generators averaging 1 ton or more of food per week between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2025, then 1/2 ton or more of food per week starting Jan. 1, 2026, and thereafter.

Making excess foods more available to qualifying entities can feed New Yorkers who are food insecure — a widening number since the COVID-19 pandemic. Harckham’s bill will not only address food insecurity, it will prevent additional costs to food scraps generators and result in less food waste, according to a spokesman.

“As the clock ticks down on climate change repercussions, New York must be examining our means of sustainability and climate accountability in all sectors we see fit,” Harckham said.

September is Hunger Action Month, and Sept. 23 is Hunger Action Day.