Food Scraps and Recycling

SacBreathe’s Food Scraps & Recycling Mission

Breathe California Sacramento Region’s Food Scraps & Recycling program empowers schools and communities to reduce food waste, promote sustainability, and foster environmental stewardship. Through education, collaboration, and student leadership, we support the implementation of effective waste diversion practices that align with California’s environmental goals. Our mission is to advocate for systemic policy change while creating lasting behavioral shifts that benefit public health, improve air quality, conserve resources, and build a cleaner, greener future.

About

The Food Scraps & Recycling Program is designed to divert compostable and recyclable materials from landfills, reducing methane emissions and environmental impact. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills are a major source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 14.3% of these emissions in 2021. California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy (SB 1383) requires schools, businesses, and residential properties to recycle organic waste to cut landfill methane emissions and recover edible food for redistribution.

Capturing and converting landfill gas (LFG) into renewable energy prevents its release into the atmosphere, thereby reducing odors and other associated hazards. The EPA explains that this process also mitigates methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to local air pollution and global climate change.

SacBreathe Impact

81

Schools

in which the food scraps team operates

70

Assembly presentations

given by our Food Scraps team

261

Tons of food scraps

diverted from the Greater Sacramento Region

Who do we serve?

To improve air quality and foster healthier lungs, SacBreathe teams up with local TK-12 schools to educate students and staff on the environmental impacts of landfills and the benefits of composting. This work paves the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future. You can also find us in the community answering questions and providing fun, interactive games for the community to demonstrate how to sort waste at school and at home.

Who can participate?

SacBreathe collaborates with TK-12 schools in the Sacramento area and surrounding regions to establish sustainable systems within the community by focusing on food recycling and composting. This cost-free initiative is funded by the City of Sacramento, Twin Rivers Unified School District, the City of West Sacramento and El Dorado County. The program includes:

  • In-person training and assemblies for students and staff

  • Waste station infrastructure, including signage and bins

  • On-site technical assistance throughout the school year and support there after

  • Resources for how to successfully implement food scraps recycling at school

  • Incentives for students to sort their waste

  • Leadership/environmental clubs are encouraged to participate for a more student-led experience

  • Assistance with food recovery/share cart efforts

Testimonials

  • I have greatly appreciated our partnership with the food scraps program. They helped us get our food sorting and recovery program off the ground. They worked with me to tailor the program to our school communities and were responsive to suggestions about the program.

    Chamberlain S., Sustainability Manager, Sacramento Unified School District

  • The Food Scraps & Recycling Program implemented in Twin Rivers USD schools has made significant strides in promoting environmental sustainability across our schools. [SacBreathe] has been at the forefront of this initiative, engaging with students, staff, and the community to foster an understanding and practical implementation of food waste recycling.

    Leslie P., Nutrition Services Director, Twin Rivers Unified School District

  • [SacBreathe] staff is so helpful and positive and willing to come and support during lunches.

    Linde F., Vice Principal, F.C. Joyce Elementary School

  • The Food Scraps & Recycling program launch and support from Breathe California Sacramento Region was very helpful in setting us up for success.

    Sara T., Principal, Fairbanks Elementary School

  • The program has made the flow of the cafeteria much easier. The trash cans do not get as heavy, so it has been easier on my body and on my back. I love waste sorting and labels. The labels and signs on the trash cans and at eye-level are very helpful for the flow and the system. The pictures really help the kids.

    Plant Manager, Pony Express

  • It’s been easy. We like it. At first, it sounded harder than it was, but now we don’t even think about it.

    Kitchen Staff, Babcock Elementary School

  • What I’ve appreciated most about working with [SacBreathe] is their depth of experience and their unwavering commitment to doing what’s best for each school. [SacBreathe’s] ability to adapt the program to meet each school’s unique needs has been a key factor in its success.

    Julie A., Sustainability Coordinator, El Dorado County

  • With the help and expertise of [SacBreathe], the City has been able to bring this message directly to some of the most influential members of our community, TK-12 students and teachers. Contracting with Breathe has allowed the City to provide quality waste sorting assistance in multiple West Sacramento schools over multiple lunch services that simply would not have been possible without them. The City appreciates the services Breathe provides and looks forward to our continued working relationship with them.

    Susan S., City of West Sacramento

Resources for schools

Check out our Food Scraps Toolkit for free resources, including waste station signage. Here you will find a fun interactive Super Sorting Activity Book and an engaging Sort Smart and Recycle Right video.

SacBreathe Case Studies

Babcock Elementary School

During the 2022-23 academic year, Babcock Elementary School in Sacramento successfully launched a Food Scraps and Recycling Program with support from the BREATHE team. The program reduces food waste, educates students on environmental hazards, and promotes sustainability. Through collaboration with school staff, administration, and a student club, students took key roles in monitoring food scrap stations and managing share carts, fostering responsibility and environmental stewardship. Babcock’s efforts are making a meaningful impact on the community, and this study highlights the program’s implementation, challenges, and best practices. Read about this case study here.

Cameron Ranch Elementary School

Cameron Ranch Elementary School in Sacramento, California, introduced a Food Scraps & Recycling Program during the 2022-23 school year, successfully diverting over eight tons of food waste from the landfill. Building on this success, the school expanded the program in 2023-24 by educating students on the entire food waste separation process—from the cafeteria to the garden. This hands-on approach greatly increased student participation, leading to the diversion of more than 32 tons of food waste that year. Read about this case study here.

If your school has any questions or is looking to start a Food Scraps & Recycling Program, you can email Food Scraps & Recycling Senior Manager Melissa Hill at mhill@sacbreathe.org, Program Managers Sharon Kaur at skaur@sacbreathe.org, and Paige Arnett at parnett@sacbreathe.org or call BREATHE’s office at (916) 444-5900 ext.6# for more information.