Submitted by Caroline French, Sustainability Program Coordinator at IFSCC Gold Sustaining Member Seven Generations Ahead & Member of IFSCC Education Committee and Young Professionals Group
Waste management is a hot topic these days, and for good reason! As we become more aware of our impact on the planet, it’s important to understand how our waste is managed and identify opportunities to improve the process. In Illinois, counties play a crucial role in waste management through their solid waste management plans (SWMPs). These plans provide a roadmap for how counties handle their waste, including strategies for recycling, compost, and waste reduction.
One area where SWMPs can make a significant impact is addressing food waste. Food waste is a major environmental and economic problem, with a significant portion of edible food ending up in landfills. To help counties in Illinois better address food waste in their SWMPs, IFSCC Gold Sustaining Member, Seven Generations Ahead created two valuable resources:
- Illinois SWMP Recommendations for Food Waste Reduction and Compost
- County Solid Waste Planning: A Comprehensive Spreadsheet
The How and Why of the Resources
The creation of these resources stemmed from a need to make Illinois SWMPs more accessible and user friendly. While SWMPs contain a wealth of information, they can often be lengthy and difficult to navigate. The “Illinois SWMP Recommendations for Food Waste Reduction and Compost” document serves as a guide for counties looking to incorporate food waste reduction into their plans. The “County Solid Waste Planning” spreadsheet complements the guide by showing a consolidated overview of all the waste management plans in Illinois. The spreadsheet categorizes each county’s plan, noting whether or not they include food waste reduction, food donation, yard waste compost and food scrap composting. The spreadsheet also provides links to the plans for quick access to the specific information.
Impact of the Resources
These resources represent a significant step forward in promoting food waste reduction and composting in Illinois. They provide counties with tools and information needed to continue to develop effective and sustainable waste management strategies. Whether a county is developing a new SWMP or updating one that already exists, these resources help to identify opportunities to create a more environmentally friendly waste management system.
We encourage everyone to explore these resources and learn more about how their county is addressing waste management. By working together, we can make a difference in reducing waste and creating a more sustainable future for Illinois!
Contact Caroline@sevengenerationsahead.org with any questions or updated County Solid Waste Management Plans.