News Releases

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (October 10, 2018) – Republic Services of Los Angeles, underscoring its commitment to a sustainable future, has partnered with local-nonprofit organizations to collect surplus food from commercial grocers to help feed families in need. These efforts recently achieved a significant milestone: 1 million pounds of food recovered, or over 800,000 meals served.

“One in six Americans consistently does not have enough to eat,” said Tania Ragland, Sustainability and Food Recovery Manager at Republic Services. “After talking with our food bank partners and our grocery and restaurant customers, we identified numerous opportunities to make a real impact in our local communities to help feed those in need with resources that would otherwise end up in landfills.”

The collaboration supports the mission of Los Angeles’ innovative recycLA program. Implemented in 2017, the waste and recycling program will help facilitate the city’s ambitious diversion goals and move towards achieving ‘zero waste’.

Ragland added, “We are proud of the work these partnerships have accomplished, and intend to continue to do our part to help fight hunger and divert food waste in Los Angeles.”

In addition to helping feed those in need, some surplus produce is being diverted to feed animals at the Los Angeles Zoo. World Harvest is redistributing more than 10 tons of fruits and vegetables to animals per month, saving the zoo an estimated $16,000 on its monthly grocery bill.

World Harvest also composts 35 tons of food per month through Republic Services’ composting services, cutting the nonprofit’s own landfill waste by 80 percent.

Currently, Republic partners with Food Finders, the St. Francis Center and World Harvest. In turn, those non-profit organizations work with over 300 agencies throughout the City of LA. The program is part of a California state mandate requiring commercial food waste generators, such as restaurants and hotels, to implement a program that diverts food from landfills.

Food recovery is one of the ways Republic is working to manage a complex and diverse waste stream. Republic’s experience, passion and ethical standards drive the Company to turn waste into solutions that deliver a valuable product or service while also protecting our Blue Planet^®.

For more on Republic Services’ sustainability initiatives and its 2017 Sustainability Report, visit republicservices.com/sustainability.

About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal. Through its subsidiaries, Republic’s collection companies, recycling centers, transfer stations and landfills focus on providing effective solutions to make responsive waste disposal effortless for its 14 million customers. We’ll handle it from here.^®, the brand’s promise, lets customers know they can count on Republic to provide a superior experience while fostering a sustainable Blue Planet for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world.

For more information, visit the Republic Services website at RepublicServices.com. “Like” Republic on Facebook at Facebook.com/RepublicServices, follow on Twitter @RepublicService and connect on Instagram at republic_services.

Media
Jennifer Eldridge
Media@RepublicServices.com
(480) 718-0119