Mill, a company known for its food recycling system, has announced a partnership with the City of Phoenix aimed at increasing food recycling participation in the area. This initiative is designed to address the significant amount of wasted food, valued at $9.5 billion, that is disposed of in Arizona landfills annually. The program aims to raise awareness among Phoenix residents about the economic and environmental impacts of food waste while also promoting local employment and agriculture.
The collaboration introduces a food recycling system that simplifies the process of reducing food waste at home. The system consists of a food recycler that dries and dehydrates food scraps into a material similar to coffee grounds. These grounds are collected monthly for composting and are used in seasonal Farm Boxes from local business R.City. Residents of Phoenix are invited to try the Mill + R.City food recycling service for free by signing up on the Mill website.
The City of Phoenix has taken significant steps in reducing food waste by deploying over 25 Mill food recyclers in local government buildings, including City Hall and the Calvin C. Goode buildings. The nutrient-rich grounds produced by these recyclers are collected by R.City to improve soil quality and support the growth of fresh produce for the community.
Data indicates that nearly 50% of households using a Mill food recycler report a decrease in food waste. Given that the average American household discards nearly $3,000 worth of food each year, this reduction can lead to substantial financial savings. Mill has developed measurement tools that allow individuals, businesses, and municipalities to monitor and reduce food waste, contributing to Phoenix’s goal of diverting 50% of food waste from landfills by 2030.
In Phoenix, households participating in the Mill+R.City program divert significantly more food from waste compared to the national average. This reduction in waste has eased the burden on Phoenix’s waste management system, reducing the weight carried by garbage and transfer trucks by almost 10,000 ton-miles. This initiative contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and minimizes road wear.
Arizona has been recognized as one of the largest contributors to food waste in the United States. When food waste is buried in landfills, it decomposes and produces methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. This program aims to reduce landfill waste, lower emissions, and enhance the local food system. For more details, visit Mill x R.City’s website here.
