Organics Recycling Win in California
Quest is helping one of the nation’s largest healthy grocery store chains expand its food waste diversion program and stay ahead of regulations in California.
Quest Resource Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: QRHC) announced today it is expanding food waste diversion services for Sprouts Farmers Market, an existing client.
Quest designed and deployed a comprehensive organics recycling program at all California stores, ahead of new mandatory commercial organics recycling regulations. The program reduces food waste by diverting produce, dairy, bakery, bulk, deli and juice bar items that cannot be sold or donated. The retailer now recycles food waste that cannot be donated at 125 stores.
California Assembly Bill 1826 (AB-1826 Solid waste: organic waste) requires businesses that generate organic waste to implement organic waste recycling programs in phases depending on the amount of waste generated per week. Since Sprouts Farmers Market generates four cubic yards of organic waste per week at its stores in California, Quest is helping the retailer stay ahead of the regulation requiring the retailer to recycle food waste by January 1, 2017.
“Quest is delighted to expand its relationship with Sprouts, one of the fastest growing retailers in the country, and continue to help them reach their sustainability goals in California and across the country,” said Ray Hatch, Quest’s CEO.
“Responsible retailing is part of Sprouts’ DNA, and we are proud of what we’ve achieved in the past two years working with Quest,” said Carlos Rojas, Senior Counsel for Sprouts Farmers Market. “Our organics recycling program not only benefits the environment, but improves store operations by minimizing waste. We also are pleased to be well ahead of the CalRecycle regulations compliance date.”
Quest’s organics recycling program converts food waste into nutritional animal feed additives or compost, helping to prevent greenhouse gas emissions and reduce waste in landfills. Quest developed custom online and in-store training to help educate and engage store associates to ensure program is successful.
Additionally, Quest manages municipal solid waste and recycling programs at all 229 Sprouts Farmers Market locations across the U.S.
Feature image credit: Evan Lorne/Shutterstock
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