Top: Photo by Frank John Aleksandrowicz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, manipulated by BioCycle

A bill in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives — HB620 — would increase the current Solid Waste Recycling Fee surcharge from $2 to $5 per ton of waste disposed. That fee supports local government investment in recycling and composting programs as well as grants for food recovery programs. “This is an important source of funding for recycling, composting and food rescue in Pennsylvania and entirely funds the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant — currently the only state funding for food rescue,” explains 412 Food Rescue in Pittsburgh (PA). “The current tipping fee surcharge of $2 was established in 1988 and hasn’t been increased since. Adjusted for inflation, $2 in 1988 is equivalent to $5.37 today — meaning the proposed increase doesn’t even bring the solid waste recycling fee to keep pace with inflation.”

According to a 412 Food Rescue Fact Sheet on HB620, Pennsylvanians wasted 2.23 million tons of edible food in 2023, which is “the equivalent of over 3.7 billion meals and 34.7 billion lbs of carbon dioxide. In addition, the meal gap in Pennsylvania is over 288.9 million missing meals — the number of meals Pennsylvanians need in order to lead healthy, active lives.” In early September, HB620 was with the House Majority Leader, who holds the authority to schedule it for a floor vote or delay further action, says 412 Food Rescue.