Plate to Power

Food waste stops with me

We help  businesses, restaurants, schools and grocery stores reduce food waste by working with donation agencies and turning food scraps into renewable energy. 

 Benefits 

• Reduce garbage collection bills.
• Extend the life of landfills.
• Create energy (biogas) with food waste.
• Make food waste reusable; turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil.

How it works 

• City staff help schools and businesses set up programs.
• Free internal collection containers, signs and training provided.
• Order a compost bin from your garbage hauler. *See rates below.
• Each week food scraps are hauled at a cost lower than traditional hauler rates.
• The food waste is broken down into biogas, creating electricity.
• The byproduct of biogas production is compost, used by regional farmers.

Resources

• Teacher's Resource Guide
• Plate to Power matching game
• Plate to Power video
• Video notes sheet
• Promote school compost
• Food Compost Poster

Contact us

Plate to Power staff are available to explain the program and evaluate the potential operational and financial impacts at your school or business. Call Gregg Hayward at 503-618-2206.

Plate to Power compost rates 

Rates for commercial food scrap recycling service

• Many businesses find the reduction of garbage results in monthly bill savings.
• This service is available once per week and your hauler will provide the container. 

Donation is best, compost the rest 

• Combine recycling, Plate to Power and food donation to save the most money on your garbage service. 
• Local food pantries will pick up your food and provide containers.
• Donating food helps prevent waste, provides much-needed assistance to food insecure households, and may be tax deductible.

Plate to Power partners