New York state gave $3.5 million last year to support municipal recycling projects across the state and the donation of wholesome food as officials strive to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
State officials continue to encourage food donations and the recycling of food waste.
It's estimated the state's supermarkets, restaurants, colleges, hospitals and other large food scrap producers generate more than 210,000 tons of wasted food and food scraps each year.
Much of that is edible and could be donated to food banks instead.
There's also a financial benefit. A state report finds that, collectively, those food scrap producers could reduce costs by up to $12 million per year by recovering and recycling their food waste.
© 2018 AP
