New Model Resolutions Offer Municipalities First Step for Food Waste Reduction Measures
Pile of food waste
Linda Breggin
Taalin RaoShah
Thursday, September 25, 2025

The Environmental Law Institute and NRDC recently released six model resolutions on advancing food waste reduction, complimenting the six existing ELI/NRDC model municipal policies. These new model resolutions provide template language that city councils and other municipal legislative bodies can adopt, in whole or in part, to express support for a range of food waste reduction measures

New Model Municipal Ordinance Reduces Regulatory Barriers to and Provides Opportunities for Community Composting
Composting
Linda Breggin
Taalin RaoShah
Leah Fattor
Thursday, June 26, 2025

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI), NRDC, and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) recently released a Model Municipal Ordinance on Advancing Community Composting (Model), a template ordinance intended to reduce regulatory barriers to and provide opportunities for community composting.

New Model Ordinance Removes Zoning Barriers to Community Composting
Community Composting
Linda Breggin
Taalin RaoShah
Jessica Sugarman
Darby Hoover
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

NRDC and the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) recently released a Model Municipal Zoning Ordinance on Community Composting, a template ordinance intended to advance community composting by establishing it as a permissible land use under a municipality’s zoning code—thus helping municipalities meet their climate and waste reduction goals while achieving various other co-benefits.

ELI Encourages EPA to Leverage Model Ordinances and Policies to Reduce Food Waste
Compost
Linda Breggin
Jessica Sugarman
Taalin RaoShah
Sarah Backer
Friday, February 16, 2024

ELI recently submitted a public comment in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) request for input on the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics (Strategy). The Strategy was developed by EPA, in partnership with the U.S.

Model PAYT Ordinance Helps Cities Reduce Trash and Increase Recycling
Compost Waste Recycle
Linda Breggin
Jessica Sugarman
Darby Hoover
Wednesday, November 29, 2023

NRDC and the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) recently released a Model Ordinance Establishing a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Program for Residential Municipal Solid Waste that can help municipalities reduce the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) sent to landfills and incinerators and, at the same time, institute more transparent, efficient, and fair pricing for residential waste management. 

Model Executive Order Helps Cities Lead by Example to Reduce Food Waste 
Bell Peppers
Linda Breggin
Jessica Sugarman
Darby Hoover
Friday, June 2, 2023

A new Model Executive Order on Municipal Leadership on Food Waste Reduction developed by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) can help municipalities reduce the amount of food wasted throughout municipal operations, highlight the importance of reducing food waste, and demonstrate food waste reduction measures that businesses and o

Model Reporting Ordinance for Food Waste Generators
Fruits and vegetables
Linda Breggin
Darby Hoover
Jessica Sugarman
Thursday, July 21, 2022

A new model ordinance on mandatory reporting for large food waste generators, developed by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and NRDC, could make it easier for municipalities around the country to collect data on food waste and surplus food generation, increase awareness of the problem of food waste, and ultimately lead to reductions of disposal of food waste in landfills and incinerators.

New Model Policy Bolsters Compost Use and Infrastructure
Compost
Akielly Hu
Linda Breggin
Jessica Sugarman
Darby Hoover
Wednesday, September 1, 2021

A new model compost procurement policy developed by the Environmental Law Institute and the Natural Resources Defense Council could help municipalities around the country in their efforts to divert food scraps and other organic materials from their landfills and incinerators and, in so doing, realize myriad economic and environmental benefits.

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