The Rhode Island House of Representatives has taken a significant step forward in addressing food waste in schools. A new bill, sponsored by Newport Rep. Lauren Carson, mandates that schools compost or recycle their cafeteria food waste. This is important because current laws only encourage this practice without enforcing it.
The bill (2026-H 7342) requires school food service contracts to include strong guidelines for composting or recycling organic waste. Schools will also need to publicly report their waste audit results. These audits happen every three years but are rarely shared with the community.
Additionally, the bill formalizes the use of “share tables” in cafeterias. These tables allow students to leave unopened food instead of throwing it away, promoting a culture of sharing and reducing waste.
Carson highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating that Rhode Island’s only landfill is expected to fill up by 2045. “We’ve been slow to act on food-waste diversion in schools. The schools that participate show that they can make a real difference,” she said. “More importantly, they help shape how the next generation views food waste.”
Recent statistics show that Rhode Island schools waste about 5 million pounds of food each year. Shockingly, over 776,000 pounds of this food is perfectly edible. This is troubling, especially considering that one in three families in Rhode Island faces food insecurity.
The Rhode Island School Recycling Project—currently active in over 70 schools—has made significant strides since its launch in 2021. It has diverted about 711.6 tons of food waste from landfills and saved 80 tons of usable food through share tables. Project organizers aim to reach half of the state’s schools by 2027 and all schools by 2030.
During the House vote, Carson was joined by Julie Dorsey, principal of LaPerche Elementary School in Smithfield. Three students from LaPerche, known as food waste rangers, also attended. LaPerche was one of the first schools to join the recycling project.
The bill now moves on to the Senate, where Sen. Bridget Valverde is sponsoring a similar piece of legislation. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday before the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee.
Reducing food waste is not just an environmental concern; it’s also a matter of social responsibility. As awareness grows, communities are becoming more engaged in food recovery practices. In 2022, a study found that reducing food waste could save families over $1,500 yearly. By encouraging schools to adopt better waste management practices, Rhode Island is paving the way for a more sustainable future.
For further information on food waste initiatives, you can explore resources like the [Rhode Island School Recycling Project](https://www.risrq.org) and [U.S. Food Waste Challenge](https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food), which offer valuable insights into combating this issue nationwide.
