Topanga Blog
Explore our latest blog posts for expert insights on building a best-in-class reusables program, cutting food waste, and running a smarter, more sustainable kitchen.
Why Tracking Waste is Just the Start, Not the Solution
Trustworthy production data is a kitchen's foundation. But it’s what happens next—how (or if) that data is used—that really makes the difference. Most tools in-market don’t make that easy enough for foodservice operators.
Ready to rethink waste?
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Why Tracking Waste is Just the Start, Not the Solution
Trustworthy production data is a kitchen's foundation. But it’s what happens next—how (or if) that data is used—that really makes the difference. Most tools in-market don’t make that easy enough for foodservice operators.
A Chef's POV: Managing With the Same Precision You Cook With
Chef Chris Aquilino draws on 35 years in kitchens to unpack how culinary leadership has changed. For the chefs who thrive today, systems are just as important as skills: getting data, improving demand forecasting, and sharing the knowledge across the team.
Food Waste Reduction Strategies for Foodservice Operators: What’s Working in 2026
Surplus food in the U.S. fell by 1.57 million tons in 2024. We look at the policy changes, shifting consumer preferences and waste tracking tech behind this progress.
Plate Waste is Costing Your Dining Hall More Than You Think
New research is putting hard numbers on a problem many college and university dining operators aren’t tracking: plate waste. Topanga’s new plate waste tracking solution is designed to help teams understand diner preferences and prevent overprep.
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Why Recycling Won’t Save Us
Around 460 million metric tons of plastic are produced every year, but just 9% is recycled globally. We break down why recycling alone won’t fix the plastics crisis and where the real solutions lie: elimination, substitution and reuse.
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The Real Cost of Single-Use Plastic (And Why Reusables are Better)
Plastic costs over $1 trillion per year in the U.S. alone. We break down where that cost comes from, how reusable containers compare across environmental metrics and what a well-designed reusables program needs to deliver on its promises.
How Comms Boosts Reuse: Lessons from Topanga’s Collaboration with Marketing Researchers at Penn State University
Last year, we collaborated with Penn State researchers who hypothesized that email communications acknowledging participation in Penn State’s (ReusePass-powered) PSreUse program would increase subsequent use. The results are even better than expected
