On May 1, Denver launched its citywide Food Waste Pilot Program, which aims to reduce food waste and help the city reach its climate action goals.

Right now, the program targets restaurants, which generate 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the city. Participating restaurants are aiming to reduce food waste at the source, donate pre-consumer food leftovers and recycle through composting, according to a 5280 report.

The report also notes that the hope is once consumers—responsible for 41 percent of food waste—see the steps restaurants are taking, they’ll apply the same lessons to their own households. The program is part of the city’s Food Matters project, a collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

5280 Denver's Mile High Magazine has more information:

Starting on May 1, Denver got a little greener. That was the day that Certifiably Green Denver—the city’s sustainability program that helps businesses green their practices—launched its Food Waste Pilot Program in the Mile High City. This is a monumental step toward reaching the City and County of Denver’s climate action goals because the program’s focus is on restaurants.

Food waste is one of the largest generators of greenhouse gas emissions and, according to the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), restaurants generate 25 percent of that waste. The participating eateries—Ale House, Ash’Kara, Bar Dough, the Bindery, Black Eye Coffee, Little Man Ice Cream, Ohana Island Kitchen, Prosperoats, Wooden Spoon, and Uncle—aim to reduce food waste at the source, donate pre-consumer food leftovers, and recycle through composting. (Root Down and parent company Edible Beats are already active leaders in this sector and are participating on a consulting basis.)

Read the full article here.