Local Food and Waste Implementation Committee
The primary objective of this chapter is to achieve Zero Waste in Bethlehem. As stated in the US Conference of Mayors’ 2015 adopted resolution In Support of Municipal Zero Waste Principles and a Hierarchy of Materials Management, “zero waste goes beyond recycling and composting at the end of a product's life cycle, to encompass the entire life cycle of a product, beginning with product design, and envisioning the use and management of materials in ways that preserve value, minimize environmental impacts, and conserve natural resources.” Bethlehem aims to achieve zero waste to landfills by 2040.
The Local Food and Waste Implementation Committee meets with the ideas and goals from this section in mind.
Phases
Phases overview
Phase 1: Identify Year 1 & 2 Goals
Identify Year 1 & 2 Goals
Phase 2: Implement Year 1 & 2 Goals
Implement Year 1 & 2 Goals
Phase 3: Identify Year 3 Goals
Identify Year 3 Goals
Phase 4: Implement Year 3 Goals
Implement Year 3 Goals
Phase 5: Identify Year 4 Goals
Identify Year 4 Goals
Phase 6: Implement Year 4 Goals
Implement Year 4 Goals
Phase 7: Identify Year 5 Goals
Identify Year 5 Goals
Implement Year 4 Goals
November 20, 2025 5:00 AM - December 1, 2025 5:00 AM
- Continued Community Gardens & Weekly Farm Stand.
- Supported the Blue Zones Food Hub (Phase 1) & Food Policy Council.
- Deployed Big Belly smart trash cans.
- Supported community clean-ups & the Lehigh Trash Mapping project.
- Conducted survey on restaurant plastic use.
- Investigated developing a public recycling pilot.




