Local Organizations Pave the Way for Sustainable Events in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is making significant strides in sustainability, with local organizations like Epic Renewal setting the standard for zero-waste events. Founded in 2016 by Tess Feigenbaum and B. Baba, Epic Renewal reduces landfill waste at events by offering practical solutions that help caterers and venues repurpose excess food.

The state’s food industry generates over 128 million pounds of surplus food annually, with nearly 42 percent ending up in landfills, according to a 2022 report by Rethink Food Waste Through Economics and Data (ReFED). The Environmental Protection Agency’s Wasted Food Scale emphasizes preferred pathways for reducing waste, but smaller food generators like restaurants, cafes, and caterers often get overlooked. Epic Renewal and other local organizations step in to simplify environmentally responsible choices for these businesses.

Feigenbaum and Baba showcased Epic Renewal’s zero-waste philosophy at their own wedding at Hurricane Hill Farm. The couple meticulously planned every detail, from pre-production design to waste management, ensuring their 65-guest wedding produced just six pounds of landfill waste. “We committed to our wedding being zero-waste, without sacrificing our aesthetic vision or the experience of our guests,” Feigenbaum explains.

The event highlighted local businesses and sustainable practices, featuring linens made from offcut fabric and custom furniture crafted from sustainably harvested lumber provided by Maisey’s Tree Farm. The couple also collaborated with 401 Gourmet Caterers to design a menu that minimized wasted food. Chef Mark Tyszkowski, known for his dedication to sustainability, remarks, “Sourcing local ingredients, preventing wasted food, and donating surplus are not just good practices – they’re essential.”

The wedding’s leftover food was donated to the Providence Rescue Mission (PRM) through Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLC), a nonprofit that redistributes surplus food to those in need. Dana Siles, the event photographer and an RLC volunteer, transported the surplus food, which provided 83 meals to individuals facing food insecurity. Siles notes, “Imagine if all weddings and events in Rhode Island participated? It would be a game-changer.” For more information on hosting a zero-waste event, visit Epic Renewal online at EpicRenewal.org. For additional food sustainability resources for events and other food generators, visit DanaSiles.com.