Don’t Waste It—Cape Cod!
How YOU (Yes, You!) Can Fight Food Waste at Home—And What Local Restaurants Can Do Too.
Cape Cod knows good food—clam chowder, lobster rolls, backyard cookouts… but did you know that tons of perfectly good food ends up in the trash every day?
That’s bad for your wallet, bad for the environment, and bad for our neighbors who don’t always have enough to eat. The good news? You don’t have to overhaul your life to make a difference.
Start at Home: 5 Easy Ways to Waste Less Food
Plan before you shop – Use tools like the Meal Guestimator to buy only what you need.
- Trust your senses – “Best by” dates usually mean quality, not safety. Check EatOrToss.com to see what’s still good!
- Store food smartly – Freeze what you can, keep greens dry with a paper towel, and store citrus loose.
- Remix your leftovers – Stale bread? Make croutons. Sad veggies? Toss them into soup or stir-fry.
- Compost scraps – If you can’t eat it, feed your garden! Backyard composting is easier than you think.
Small changes = big impact.
Work in a Restaurant? Help Spread the Word!
Maybe you’re not the owner—but you see waste every day. You can make a difference by sharing these resources with your team.
Whether you’re a manager, server, or line cook, you can help your restaurant:
- Donate safe, extra food to local families
- Compost food scraps or divert them from the landfill
- Cut trash costs and improve sustainability
Now’s a great time to plan ahead—before the busy season hits—so staff can get trained and systems are ready to roll.
Need Help Getting Started?
Andrea Scarpellini, Cape Cod’s Food Access Coordinator, is teaming up with RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts to help both residents and businesses fight food waste. Visit Andrea at our website www.capecod.gov/foodaccess for:
- No-cost advice on food donations
- Set up food donation or volunteer for a donation program
- Reduce waste and do good—for the Cape and your community
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) recycling assistance program to help businesses and institutions reduce waste and maximize recycling, reuse, and food recovery opportunities.
For no-cost technical assistance with preventing, donating, and/or diverting wasted food, contact the RecyclingWorks in MA hotline at 888-254-5525 or email info@recyclingworksma.com.
Quick Links to Get Started:
Visit capecod.gov/foodaccess
Call RecyclingWorks at 888-254-5525
Visit RecyclingWorksMA.com for statewide resources
Or email info@recyclingworksma.com
