Philly Talks Trash: A Virtual Series on Waste is a collaboration between the Philadelphia Neighborhood Network’s Environment Action Committee and the Plastic Reduction Task Force of Weavers Way Co-op. Monthly programs will be offered featuring representatives from nonprofits, government programs, and businesses that are working to reduce waste and increase reuse and recycling in the Greater Philadelphia region. Topics will include single-use plastics, food waste and recovery, packaging, recycling, incineration, litter and dumping. Each program will take place on the third Thursday of the month from 6:30 - 8:00 PM.

Information and registration is available here. Free and open to everyone.

Upcoming Programs:

February 17 - Food: Waste Reduction and Recovery - see below for details

March 17 - Incineration: Why Philly Needs to top Sending our Trash to Chester

April 21 - Growing Circular Reuse Models in Foodservice and Grocery

May 19 - Managing Food Waste at Home

June 16 - Litter and Dumping (Fugitive Waste)

July 21 - Philly's Trash and Recycling Crisis

February 17th Program

Food: Waste Reduction and Recovery, February 17, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Did you know that in the US 30 - 40% of food grown, processed and distributed is not eaten? The overproduction of food magnifies many of the negative environmental and climate impacts that are attributable to conventional agriculture. In addition, the economics of overproduction have tremendous social impacts as well, with billions of food waste-related dollars that could alleviate food insecurity instead of going up in the smoke of incinerators or being buried in landfills releasing pollutants, greenhouse gases, and impacting public health.

Our February program will focus on some of Philly’s programs that work towards getting food to people and diverting it from being buried or burned. We will learn about the reduction and recovery of food waste from large scale Philadelphia supermarkets, businesses and institutions alongside the grassroots-driven Community Fridge movement, which is growing quickly here. The topic will be introduced by Coryanne Mansell, the Center for EcoTechnology’s Client Service’s Strategist. We will then engage in a lively discussion with Kait Bowdler, the Director of Food Sourcing at Philabundance and Syona Arora, the Founder of the South Philadelphia Community Fridge.