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Food Waste Diversion in the Virginia Department of Corrections

Explore the efforts of the Virginia Department of Corrections to address the food waste problem in prisons, including composting and food dehydration programs. Discover how these initiatives aim to reduce waste, enhance security, and provide useful products for agribusiness.

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Food Waste Diversion in the Virginia Department of Corrections

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  1. Food Waste Diversion in the Virginia Department of Corrections Joint Solid Waste & Recycling Conference Virginia Beach - May 8, 2018 Lois Fegan, M.S. Virginia Department of Corrections

  2. Food Waste Problem One-Third of all food produced in the World is lost or wasted in the food stream. Valued at 1 trillion US dollars 40% of Food in the US is not eaten US disposes of 38 million tons of food each year Averages 20 pounds of food per person each month Source: United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved 1/10/17.

  3. Waste Generation in Prisons 4 lbs of Waste Per Day 30% or 1.2 lbs is Food Waste* *Waste Reduction and Recycling Guide for Florida Correctional Facilities. Kessler Consulting, Inc,. January 2004

  4. 48 Prisons • 27 Major Facilities • 8 Field Units • 7 Community Corrections Facilities • 6 Work Centers • 29,271 Offenders • 10,000 Staff • 9 million sqft building space • 18,000 Acres of Land Data Source: Virginia Department of Corrections. (2017). Management Information Summary Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2016. Retrieved from http://vadoc.virginia.gov/about/facts/default.shtm

  5. Agribusiness Program Vegetables, milk, hay, forage, cattle, swine, fish, grain, apples and goats 24 Prison Farms 16,000 Acres + 50 Greenhouses Grows 50% of all food consumed by the offenders

  6. “Closing the Food Loop” Working Dialogue

  7. Working Dialogue Process • The concept of Dialogue is one where people who are involved in a problem and affected by achange in a decision making process are encouraged to contribute thoughts, experience and understanding of the issue in order to improve the quality of the decisions. • Team members from Food Services, Agribusiness and Environmental Services met to discuss the problem of food waste in the agency. A dialogue session is comprised of the following elements: Current Situation Desired Outcomes Changes Required

  8. Current Situation

  9. Waste Stream in Prisons

  10. Waste Profile in VADOC 16,464 Tons of Solid Waste 84% Landfill 13% Recycling 3% Compost 15.65% Diversion Rate

  11. Food 50-60% Waste Audits Recycling 30-40% Trash 10%

  12. Current Waste Solutions Landfill Compost Dehydrator

  13. Trash & Recycling in VADOC 13,888 TONS of TRASH $994,000 Landfill Fees 2,130 Tons of Recycling (includes 462 tons scrap metal) Problems: Remote Locations, Higher Fees, Unavailable Services, National Sword

  14. Food Waste in VADOC • Heavy (Expensive) • Security Risk • Environmentally Hazardous • Invites Unwelcome Guests

  15. Composting in VADOC • In-Vessel Units at State Farm CC (DEQ License) and Bland CC • Small vermicomposting program at St. Brides CC • Scattered small compost rows/piles across the state • 396 Tons of Food-Waste Composted in 2017

  16. Pros and Cons of Compost • Pros • Produces a great product for Agribusiness • Can be inexpensive • Training program for offenders • Cons • Requires staff or outside offender workers to operate • Lack of natural carbon source in some locations • Requires physical space/power/drainage capabilities • Permits, licenses and fees • Transportation

  17. Food Dehydration ProgramAugusta Correctional Center Deodorizes and dehydrates food waste Reduces volume by up to 90% Dry, nutrient rich material 50 tons in 2017 – 1/3 Reduction in Trash Pickups

  18. Pros and Cons of Dehydrator • Pros • Provides a product that can be used as a soil or feed enhancer • Easy to operate – minimal staff time/resources • Install at the source of food waste • Volume and waste reduction • Enhances security • Cons • Budgeting for initial purchase • Space requirements • Access to drain • Electrical outlet • Potential Permit Required • Turnover in staff/workers

  19. Desired Outcomes • Reduce food waste in a cost efficient manner • Maintain or enhance security of the facility • Provide a useful product for Agribusiness • Improve the environmental conditions of our communities

  20. Changes Required • Conduct site visits to determine best solutionfor each prison • Develop funding source for equipment as needed • Train staff and offenders in composting & other food-waste technology initiatives • DEQ License/MOU

  21. Next Steps • USDA Solid Waste Management Grant • Establish compost at 19 sites/farms • Regional Recycling Hub Program • Earn $$ - Purchase Equipment • Continue Waste Audits • Conversation with DEQ

  22. Contact Information Lois Fegan, M.S. VADOC Sustainability/Recycling Manager 804-837-1028 lois.fegan@vadoc.virginia.gov VADOC YouTube Composting Video: https://youtu.be/V_z4j0gMtk4 (or find the VADOC YouTube Channel)

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