Food Waste Diversion in the Virginia Department of Corrections Joint Solid Waste & Recycling Conference Virginia Beach - May 8, 2018 Lois Fegan, M.S. Virginia Department of Corrections

Food Waste Problem One-Third of all food produced in the World is lost or wasted in the food stream. Valued at 1 trillion US dollars 40% of Food in the US is not eaten US disposes of 38 million tons of food each year Averages 20 pounds of food per person each month Source: United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved 1/10/17.

Waste Generation in Prisons 4 lbs of Waste Per Day 30% or 1.2 lbs is Food Waste* *Waste Reduction and Recycling Guide for Florida Correctional Facilities. Kessler Consulting, Inc,. January 2004

7 Community Corrections Facilities 6 Work Centers 29,271 Offenders 48 Prisons 27 Major Facilities 8 Field Units 7 Community Corrections Facilities 6 Work Centers 29,271 Offenders 10,000 Staff 9 million sq ft building space 18,000 Acres of Land Data Source: Virginia Department of Corrections. (2017). Management Information Summary Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2016. Retrieved from http://vadoc.virginia.gov/about/facts/default.shtm

Agribusiness Program Vegetables, milk, hay, forage, cattle, swine, fish, grain, apples and goats 24 Prison Farms 16,000 Acres + 50 Greenhouses Grows 50% of all food consumed by the offenders

“Closing the Food Loop” Working Dialogue

Working Dialogue Process The concept of Dialogue is one where people who are involved in a problem and affected by a change in a decision making process are encouraged to contribute thoughts, experience and understanding of the issue in order to improve the quality of the decisions. Team members from Food Services, Agribusiness and Environmental Services met to discuss the problem of food waste in the agency. A dialogue session is comprised of the following elements: Current Situation Desired Outcomes Changes Required

Current Situation

Waste Stream in Prisons Discuss time, inspections, security concerns of trash in sally port.

Waste Profile in VADOC 16,464 Tons of Solid Waste 84% Landfill 13% Recycling 3% Compost 15.65% Diversion Rate

Waste Audits Food 50-60% Recycling 30-40% Trash 10%

Current Waste Solutions Landfill Compost Dehydrator Click on the link for compost YouTube video.

(includes 462 tons scrap metal) Trash & Recycling in VADOC 13,888 TONS of TRASH $994,000 Landfill Fees 2,130 Tons of Recycling (includes 462 tons scrap metal) Problems: Remote Locations, Higher Fees, Unavailable Services, National Sword

Food Waste in VADOC Heavy (Expensive) Security Risk Environmentally Hazardous Invites Unwelcome Guests

Composting in VADOC In-Vessel Units at State Farm CC (DEQ License) and Bland CC Small vermicomposting program at St. Brides CC Scattered small compost rows/piles across the state 396 Tons of Food-Waste Composted in 2017

Pros and Cons of Compost Produces a great product for Agribusiness Can be inexpensive Training program for offenders Cons Requires staff or outside offender workers to operate Lack of natural carbon source in some locations Requires physical space/power/drainage capabilities Permits, licenses and fees Transportation

Food Dehydration Program Augusta Correctional Center Deodorizes and dehydrates food waste Reduces volume by up to 90% Dry, nutrient rich material 50 tons in 2017 – 1/3 Reduction in Trash Pickups

Pros and Cons of Dehydrator Provides a product that can be used as a soil or feed enhancer Easy to operate – minimal staff time/resources Install at the source of food waste Volume and waste reduction Enhances security Cons Budgeting for initial purchase Space requirements Access to drain Electrical outlet Potential Permit Required Turnover in staff/workers

Desired Outcomes Reduce food waste in a cost efficient manner Maintain or enhance security of the facility Provide a useful product for Agribusiness Improve the environmental conditions of our communities

Changes Required Conduct site visits to determine best solution for each prison Develop funding source for equipment as needed Train staff and offenders in composting & other food-waste technology initiatives DEQ License/MOU

Next Steps USDA Solid Waste Management Grant Establish compost at 19 sites/farms Regional Recycling Hub Program Earn $$ - Purchase Equipment Continue Waste Audits Conversation with DEQ

Contact Information Lois Fegan, M.S. VADOC Sustainability/Recycling Manager 804-837-1028 lois.fegan@vadoc.virginia.gov VADOC YouTube Composting Video: https://youtu.be/V_z4j0gMtk4 (or find the VADOC YouTube Channel)