Food-Waste Program at Publix Ends

MICHAEL GARRY

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets here ended a food-waste-recycling program that used an alternative recycling technology on March 14 at 85 of its stores in South Florida.

The program concluded after the chain’s recycling partner, Organic Recovery, Pompano Beach, Fla., suspended service at the stores, said Maria Brous, director of media and community relations for Publix.

“A tough economy did not allow the partnership to continue,” added Brous, who declined to discuss the terms of its agreement with Organic Recovery.

Publix, which launched the program last August, had intended to extend it to all of its 240 stores in its Miami division. The chain has no other current food-waste initiatives, though “we are currently researching additional, viable alternatives,” said Brous.

Organic Recovery’s service collected food waste and employed “food residual recycling technology” to create a “liquid soil amendment.” Organic Recovery formed a partnership with Organic Recovery Development, Morristown, N.J., to create an “alternative to the current disposal of food wastes in landfills, composting facilities or anaerobic digesters,” according to Organic Recovery Development’s website.

Organic Recovery could not be reached for comment, and Organic Recovery Development did not respond to requests for comment.

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