Proper Disposal of Stale Beer
As a result of COVID-19 related closures MWRA has recently received several requests from breweries, restaurants, bars, and other venues, to discharge stale beer and other food waste to the sewer system. MWRA has been in contact with permitted breweries in our service area to advise them that this type of discharge has the potential to be harmful to municipal and MWRA infrastructure.
Message to Local Boards of Health, Restaurant and other Hospitality Associations:
The closure of restaurants, bars, and other venues due to the COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in an abundance of beer and other food waste going stale in these establishments. Beer, in particular, has a very high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), making it what is referred to as “high strength wastewater,” which also has a very low pH. The combination of the beer’s high BOD and low pH, make disposing of stale beer in the sewer system extremely problematic, with the potential to cause damaging conditions within the sewer system and to potentially overwhelm the receiving wastewater treatment plant. Given the current volumes of stale beer and other food waste across the Commonwealth, it is imperative that it is disposed of properly.
MassDEP and MWRA recommend:
1. Stale beer and other food waste should not be disposed of down the drain.
2. Restaurants, bars, and other venues should work with distributor to collect full and partially full kegs.
3. Through MassDEP or RecyclingWorks, distributors and other venues can explore options for disposal at anaerobic digestion facilities. More information