Andrea Collins
(she/her)
Senior Specialist, Sustainable Food Systems, Nature
Andrea Collins focuses on making our food system more efficient, sustainable, and equitable. She is helping to create strategies that can be implemented at various stages throughout the supply chain, including on farms, within cities, and by companies. Previously, she worked with NRDC’s Health & Environment team to eliminate the misuse of antibiotics in livestock, address toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products, and limit exposure to pesticides. She holds a bachelor's degree in peace and conflict studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and is based in NRDC's San Francisco office.
Areas of Work
Agriculture & FoodRelated content
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Food Waste Diversion Can Deliver Billions in Economic Benefits
Expert BlogUnited StatesAndrea Collins, Anya Obrez
By implementing a comprehensive food waste diversion policy, states can create new jobs, generate billions in economic activity, enable market conditions to develop cost-effective local programs, make more food available within communities, and reduce climate pollution.
California Legislature Passes Food Date Labeling Standardization
Expert BlogCaliforniaNina Sevilla, Andrea Collins
The law standardizes food date labeling and helps prevent food waste across the state.
2025 Wins in Food Waste and What’s Next in 2026
Expert BlogUnited States, InternationalYvette Cabrera, Madeline Keating, Andrea Collins, Nina Sevilla, Anya Obrez, Darby Hoover
Food waste programs and systems made significant advances around the country—and even the world. It's important to keep up the momentum in 2026.
Publications
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Economic Impacts of Food Waste Diversion in Colorado
Issue BriefColoradoMadeline Keating, Andrea Collins
New modeling shows that a food waste diversion policy would have vast economic and climate benefits for Colorado.
Economic Impacts of Food Waste Diversion in Illinois
Issue BriefIllinoisMadeline Keating, Andrea Collins
New modeling shows that a food waste diversion policy would have vast economic and climate benefits for Illinois.
How to Keep Food Out of Illinois’s Trash
Fact SheetIllinoisAndrea Collins, Madeline Keating
A food scrap diversion law would help solve Illinois’s wasted food problem.
Resources
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Michigan’s Opportunity to Cash In on Waste
BackgrounderMichiganAndrea Collins
A proposed increase to Michigan’s waste disposal surcharge could fund recycling and waste prevention efforts—especially food waste reduction—throughout the state.