Coming soon – the new EPA Food Waste Calculator
Hi folks – here’s a little industry ‘inside scoop‘ for you…
I just received an e-mail from our favorite contact at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She told me that they are almost finished with the newest version of the Food Waste Calculator. It should be done later this month (August) and ready for posting on the EPA website at the beginning of September. Hopefully in time for “Feeding America’s Hungry Action Month” which is the entire month of September.
Just a little info to get you interested…
The first version of the Food Waste Calculator was such a big hit, and received so many requests for additional categories that the EPA decided to create a ‘new and improved’ version. The new version of the Food Waste Calculator will be a free download directly from the EPA website. Any type of operator will be able to use it: grocery store, restaurant, hospital, university, etc. It’s based on Excel and is very easy to use. Andrew, Dave and Jennifer (that’s me!) from LeanPath were part of the group that tested the updated version of the calculator and submitted comments.
I have to say, it’s very easy to use. And it’s FREE. Any type of foodservice operation will be able to see the savings they can achieve just by plugging in a few numbers that they already have, like garbage fees or recycling costs. There are also a few “yes/no” questions. The calculator does the math for you and creates a savings analysis on a separate tab. It gives you several different savings options for reducing food waste or diverting waste to other less exspensive areas.
I can’t say anything further – but keep on the look out for another blog post in a few weeks with the link to the new EPA Food Waste Calculator.
