New program covers startup costs for Park City, Summit County food businesses going zero waste

Photo: Park City Community Foundation

Park City Community Foundation will cover up to nine months of pickup service through Momentum Recycling, part of a broader effort to divert food waste from the landfill by 2030

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City Community Foundation (PCCF), with support from Summit County, is offering a new Zero Food Waste incentive program for local businesses, covering startup costs, staff training and up to nine months of food waste pickup for restaurants, caterers and other food-related businesses.

The incentive is designed to make it easier and more affordable for local businesses to join Zero Food Waste efforts, which aim to divert all food waste from the Summit County landfill by 2030.

According to the PCCF, food waste currently takes up nearly half the air space at the Summit County landfill. As the county develops a Solid Waste Action Plan, food waste diversion has been identified as a key factor in extending the life of the landfill by 10 years. Food waste also releases harmful gases and can leach into local water sources as it breaks down in landfills.

“Park City and Summit County are already home to a growing community of residents and businesses leading the way on food waste diversion, and we’re excited to partner with more businesses and grow that impact,” said Victoria Schlaepfer, climate fund manager at Park City Community Foundation. “Reducing food waste and diverting it from the landfill has been identified as one of the best ways to have a local impact on climate issues.”

Through the new business incentive program, the Community Foundation, with support from Summit County, will cover the full cost of the first nine months of food waste pickup, up to $3,000, through Momentum Recycling. That includes the startup fee, collection bins and on-site staff training. Beginning in month 10, participating businesses take over the service themselves, equipped with nearly a year of data from monthly diversion and billing reports. Businesses commit to at least 18 months, with the goal of building lasting habits.

The program also gives local businesses an option for waste hauling and reporting, which is now required under Park City Municipal’s recent waste reduction ordinance.

The Community Foundation launched the Zero Food Waste initiative in June 2024. More than 1,500 households currently receive weekly food waste collection through Momentum Recycling, and approximately 60 local restaurants and businesses are participating in the initiative. A list of participating businesses and supporters is available on the Community Foundation’s website.

With a limited number of spots available, Park City Community Foundation is inviting restaurants, caterers and other food-related businesses in Park City and Summit County to apply. Those interested can contact Victoria Schlaepfer at victoria@parkcitycf.org.

Residents interested in signing up for weekly food waste collection at home can visit parkcitycf.org/zerofoodwaste.