[help] getting food waste from restaurants

[EagleEyes]

go dumpster diving at your local grocery store. you won't believe what you will find.
My chickens favorite was always cauliflower.

 

[Vata Raven]

go dumpster diving at your local grocery store. you won't believe what you will find.
My chickens favorite was always cauliflower.

Do you ask before hand, or just check in the dead of night?

 

[Vata Raven]

First thing you have to remember is people are people. foreign objects, glass, plastic and a multitude of other "garbage" ends up in the mix.

True

I'm hoping a few chruches will help, and I contacted the state office that deals with recycling programs to see what they suggest.

 

[Acre4Me]

I've been calling family owned restaurants for their food waste. Even explained that it's for composting, but they all denied me their food waste. Said it's against the law? Smells like BS to me.

I feel like I need to go duster diving for such a simple resource.

What else can I do?

Not BS. People lie. Then do something stupid and then sue bc they were stupid and lied about it. So, there are laws and regulations out there to protect people from their own stupidity.

Dumpster diving: just know what trouble you could get in ahead of time to assess your risk legally. It is garbage, but there could be something on the books in a city that indicates you could have x or y problem or charge. But, can’t imagine there any big issues with it (as in I doubt it’s a felony). But, someone mentioned broken glass or similar and possible injury…so, a cut could get infected, for example, and could require medical treatment, etc. so keep that in mind if you decide to dumpster dive, choosing protective gloves, knowing g if you have a medical deductible etc.

Easy: buy the clearance produce at the grocery. Ask for the “garbage” from the produce department maybe (if they’ll give it to you. Ask your friends/relatives to try to remember to save their egg shells, veg/fruit off-cuts, apple cores, etc. then remember to pick the stuff up in a timely manner.

 

[Percheron chick]

What is CYA?

Cover your ass. We as a society are all too happy to sue individuals over our own stupidity.
Breweries and distilleries are another great source of compostable matter. They usually put it in 55 G barrels or IBC totes and produce thousands of pounds of product a month. Most have contracts with cattle ranchers but don't mind you taking a few buckets. Cottage industry dog biscuit bakers usually use spent grains in small amounts so ask where they get theirs from.

 

[neo71665]

Stop asking. Dumpster diving is legal and most restaurants have separate trash cans for kitchen waste and garbage.

That varies, here if you take anything from a dumpster without premission it is theft.