Waste Solution
Reduce Food Loss And Waste, Improve Recycling Programs, And Move Toward Zero Waste With A Practical, Structured Approach Designed For Fresh Produce Operations.
Across the fresh produce industry, waste occurs at every stage of production, from on-farm operations to packing sheds and processing facilities. This includes food loss and waste, packaging waste, and operational inefficiencies that impact both cost and performance.
In many cases, waste is already happening across operations, but it is not always measured, understood, or consistently managed. As expectations increase, companies are being asked to better understand and reduce waste while maintaining efficiency.
For growers, packers, and processors, the challenge is not just reducing waste, it’s understanding where waste is happening, why it is occurring, and how to take practical steps to improve operations.
Measure to Improve helps organizations identify waste hotspots, organize data, and implement practical solutions across food loss and waste, recycling, and zero waste initiatives designed to reflect how produce operations actually work.
Our approach focuses on improving efficiency, reducing unnecessary costs, and capturing more value from existing operations grounded in a clear business case that supports better decision-making over time.
Why develop a zero waste program?
Make progress toward preferred supplier status
Reduce costs and environmental impact of waste
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
Market sustainable waste practices to buyers and consumers
Build a culture of sustainability and become a more sustainable company
Who This Is For
This solution is designed for fresh produce organizations that:
Are looking to reduce food loss and waste across on-farm, packing, or processing operations
Want to improve recycling programs and waste diversion efforts
Are exploring zero waste or landfill diversion goals
Need to better understand where waste is occurring and why
Why It Matters
Food loss and waste occurs across on-farm production, packing, and processing, impacting both operational efficiency and profitability.
There is increasing focus across the industry on reducing food loss and waste, improving recycling, and preventing waste before it occurs. National efforts are driving this forward, with goals to significantly reduce food loss and waste and increase recycling across the food system.
At the same time, there are real opportunities to recover value, through improved operations, better data, recycling programs, and new pathways for surplus or out-of-spec product.
Without a structured approach, waste reduction efforts can be inconsistent and difficult to sustain.
Taking a practical approach helps organizations reduce waste, improve efficiency, and capture more value across their operations.
Our Solution
Measure to Improve (MTI’s) Zero Waste Program will guide clients in establishing a Zero Waste Program by providing the tools, resources, and training to confidently manage waste. With clients, MTI will evaluate current waste management operations and discover new ways to reduce waste generation, recycle more material generated, and partner with vendors to give unused material a second life. We will help establish an internal culture of sustainability to manage program processes and data, achieve zero waste, and tell a sustainability story to stakeholders and the public.
What We Deliver
After about 10 months, clients will have a functional Zero Waste Program consisting of a Green Team, a source separation program, and a data and program monitoring system. If desired, MTI can support clients in achieving TRUE Zero Waste Certification, which will take an additional 8-14 months.
• A successful waste management program with established waste material streams and cost-effective vendors
• Data collection and monitoring system, which can be leveraged for marketing and reporting to buyer surveys
• A Green Team trained on how to continuously maintain the Zero Waste Program
• If applicable, TRUE Zero Waste Certification support
Let’s Get Started
Whether you’re starting from scratch or need to organize and streamline your efforts, we help you respond with confidence and clarity.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Measure to Improve to learn how we can support your sustainability efforts and help you prepare for what’s ahead.