SMART Recycling works to divert commercial food waste from landfills, creating organic, nutrient-rich compost that can help regenerate soil. Their work plays into a circular food system -- by selling compost to local farmers, they enable “farm to table” food to then go “table to farm.” Their partners, including restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, universities, and industrial facilities, receive training and monthly reports on their food waste diversion.

Dealing with food waste is a critical climate action. Globally, we waste approximately 1/3 of the world’s food supply. Not only does this food waste take up space in landfills, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that accounts for 20% of total global emissions. While methane has a shorter lifespan, it is 84 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in our atmosphere over a 20 year period.

Thus far in 2021, SMART Recycling partners have diverted 712.26 tons of organic waste from landfills, with Charleston partners making up 528.38 tons of that total. That sort of large-scale system change is exactly what we need to effectively combat the climate crisis. We’re grateful to have SMART Recycling provide composting services in the Lowcountry, servicing Charleston’s state-run colleges, our County school district, and many of our businesses. Congratulations to them on their new office space in North Charleston, and a big thank you for standing up for climate action in our community!