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Policy Brief: Food Recycling in Vancouver's Hospitality Industry to Support Vulnerable Communities

Author Schyler Edmundson

Policy Brief Written in Winter 2018 for Public Management (UBC)

About: This policy brief outlines how food recycling in Vancouver's hospitality sector can effectively support vulnerable populations, with a special focus on women and children, by redirecting quality surplus food and improving food security within the community.

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Topics: Food Security, Policy, Advocacy, Circular Economy, Women and Children, Sustainable Resource Management

 

Summary: This updated policy brief explores how recycling surplus food from Vancouver’s hotels and restaurants can contribute to a circular economy while alleviating food insecurity among the city's most vulnerable. It reviews the environmental and economic impacts of food waste, analyzes existing recycling and donation laws in British Columbia, and provides recommendations for enhancing food donation practices to benefit marginalized communities. By fostering collaboration between the hospitality industry, local agencies, and municipal policies, the brief proposes actionable steps to reduce waste and directly improve access to nutritious food for those most at risk, underscoring the social and environmental gains of a sustainable food management system.

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1.0 Introduction

Decades of industrial activities, deforestation, and large-scale agriculture have led to unprecedented greenhouse gas (GHG) levels, directly linked to global temperature rise. Vancouver is taking critical steps to counter these trends through circular economy initiatives, which reduce waste and improve sustainability. This brief proposes that food recycling in the hospitality industry can significantly contribute to these goals while benefiting vulnerable communities—especially women and children—by addressing food insecurity in Vancouver.

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While the City of Vancouver has made strides towards a circular economy by focusing on reducing single-use plastics and food waste, integrating a socially responsible food recovery system from hospitality businesses can further enhance economic productivity and social equity. Redirecting surplus food to community programs could strengthen social bonds, improve health outcomes, and reduce food insecurity, aligning with Vancouver’s commitment to a healthy, inclusive city.

 

2.0 Statement of Issue

Vancouver’s hospitality sector generates a high volume of food waste, much of which remains unutilized despite being of adequate quality for consumption. The disposal of edible surplus food not only strains the environment but also forgoes opportunities to support local food security initiatives that serve those in need. This inefficiency is counterproductive to Vancouver’s zero-waste goals and overlooks a vital resource to address local poverty and hunger.

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3.0 Analysis and Research: The Socioeconomic Impact of Food Waste

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3.1 Food Waste and Food Insecurity

Food waste accounts for approximately 20% of total waste in Vancouver’s landfills. Of the food disposed of, a significant portion remains edible. In fact, BC households with children face a 1 in 6 chance of food insecurity, with children particularly at risk. Current figures indicate that nearly 100,000 tonnes of edible food from Vancouver’s hospitality sector is discarded annually. This waste represents an opportunity to address food insecurity among vulnerable populations, who experience lower health outcomes and greater healthcare needs.

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The BC Food Donor Encouragement Act (1997) protects food donors from liability when donating edible surplus food. However, many hospitality businesses remain hesitant, leading to unnecessary disposal. With targeted interventions and partnerships between businesses, nonprofits, and community groups, substantial quantities of food could be redirected to those in need.

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3.2 Legislative Context and Recent Updates

Vancouver’s 2018 Zero Waste 2040 Plan set ambitious waste reduction targets and introduced the Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy to phase out items like plastic straws and polystyrene. However, food recycling requires further incentivization and support from local authorities to make it a viable and attractive option for hospitality businesses.

In 2021, British Columbia strengthened organics disposal bans across Metro Vancouver, mandating all large food waste generators to compost or otherwise divert organics from landfill. Further support for this law could include subsidies or tax breaks for restaurants donating quality surplus food, which would help achieve both environmental and social goals.

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3.3 The Role of a Circular Economy in Social Equity

A circular economy extends beyond waste reduction; it promotes sustainability and social equity by transforming waste into resources. By connecting the food service industry with nonprofits, the City can ensure that food which would otherwise be wasted benefits community programs that aid women and children facing food insecurity. This alignment with Vancouver’s Healthy City Strategy and Economic Development Strategy could yield positive outcomes in both environmental and social metrics.

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4.0 Recommendations

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4.1 Food Donation Requirements and Incentives

Introduce policies that make food donations more accessible for hospitality businesses, including:

  • Tax Incentives: Provide tax relief for food businesses that donate edible surplus, making it financially rewarding to divert food from landfills to communities in need.

  • Donation and Liability Education: Increase awareness of the BC Food Donor Encouragement Act to alleviate business concerns around food donations.

  • Community Food Hubs: Establish partnerships with local food recovery organizations to streamline collection and distribution.

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4.2 Food Recovery Network Development

Foster a city-wide food recovery network that connects restaurants, food banks, and community programs. This network can include:

  • Training and Resources for Businesses: Support local businesses in implementing food recovery procedures.

  • Digital Platforms for Real-Time Food Sharing: Develop an app to facilitate real-time food donation coordination between businesses and local charities.

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4.3 Expand Municipal Waste Management Policies

To support circular practices, the City could:

  • Review and Expand Organics Disposal Bans: Regularly update and enforce organics disposal regulations.

  • Mandatory Food Recovery Protocols for Large Establishments: Require high-waste industries like hospitality to adopt food recovery measures, complemented by support to ease transition.

 

5.0 Implications for Vulnerable Communities

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5.1 Reducing Food Insecurity

A food recovery initiative targeting the hospitality industry would help alleviate food insecurity among Vancouver’s vulnerable populations, with significant benefits for women and children. Food insecurity in BC contributes to increased healthcare needs, particularly among children. Providing nutritious food can lessen these burdens and enhance the quality of life for many families.

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5.2 Strengthening Community and Social Cohesion

Establishing food recovery practices not only supports environmental goals but also fosters community cohesion. Empowering restaurants to contribute directly to the community strengthens social bonds and promotes a sense of shared responsibility, bridging the gap between businesses and residents.

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5.3 Environmental Impact

Addressing food waste from the hospitality industry reduces methane emissions from landfills, helping Vancouver meet its GHG reduction targets. By preventing food waste at its source, these policies are more effective than composting alone in reducing Vancouver’s carbon footprint.

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6.0 Considerations

Establishing city-wide food recovery measures requires a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach. The collaboration between government, hospitality businesses, nonprofits, and residents will be essential to achieving these goals. Additionally, the City of Vancouver should work closely with provincial authorities to ensure a seamless integration of local initiatives with BC’s broader environmental and social policies.

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Works Researched

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