It has been diverting approximately 43 tons per year from the state's solid waste stream as a result of their broadly based waste reduction practices. While many large grocery store chains have just recently made bulk foods available in their retail line - the PFC has been successfully selling bulk foods for 20 years. Its experience demonstrates how bulk food sales coupled with other practices can reduce waste in the retail food business.
Food distribution creates a lot of solid waste.
Waste is created in bringing the products to retail outlets, more waste results from in-store operations, and still more waste is generated as customers use or consume products and discard the packaging. The food distribution industry is responsible for at least 30 percent of our national garbage volume. Many individuals and businesses in the food distribution chain are concerned about the wasteful way that food is made available to consumers. Through waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting, PFC's Packard Street store has reduced the amount of waste disposed by 86 percent. Additionally, the store promotes food products that are designed for minimum waste generation when used or consumed, helping customers to further reduce waste.