By Julie DesChamps, chair of Waste Free Greenwich, and Karen Saggese, co-site director of Food Rescue US, Fairfield County
This year, businesses in our area are stepping up to tackle food waste. They’re changing how they operate to protect our environment and reduce waste. These changes help save resources and ensure that leftover food goes to good use, either through donations or composting.
Starting January 1, 2025, certain businesses and institutions in Greenwich that produce over 26 tons of organic waste each year will have new responsibilities under Connecticut’s Commercial Organics Recycling Law. This law requires them to separate organic waste, like food scraps and certain types of paper, from regular trash. Instead of sending this waste to landfills or incinerators, they must redirect it to composting or other safe processes.
The law mainly targets large waste producers, including food suppliers, conference centers, hotels, supermarkets, and healthcare facilities. But it’s not just about compliance; businesses are encouraged to donate excess food to those in need before they consider recycling. There are legal protections for food donors, and they can even benefit from tax incentives.
“Through food donations, we can ensure more nutritious meals reach people in need while helping our environment,” says Karen Saggese from Food Rescue US, Fairfield County.
This law is a major step toward a greener waste management system in Greenwich. Some local entities are already ahead of the curve. Since 2021, Greenwich Hospital has been running a successful food waste program, recycling around 54 tons of scraps each year.
The hospital collects food waste from its kitchen and dishroom, and teams up with Curbside Compost to transport it to New Milford Farms, where it becomes valuable compost. They also partner with Food Rescue US to donate surplus food to Kids in Crisis and use a platform called Leanpath to analyze food waste, saving money and resources.
“We are dedicated to caring for our environment,” says Executive Director Michael Wolpensinger. “By managing our waste effectively, we can reduce pollution and improve community health.”
The new regulations come at a crucial time as Connecticut faces a waste management issue. Food waste represents almost a quarter of all trash. By focusing on prevention, donations, and recycling, we can lessen the negative effects of trash disposal. The state estimates that businesses could divert between 25,000 to 60,000 tons of food scraps.
Connecticut was the first state to implement a Commercial Organics Recycling law, with others like California and Massachusetts following suit. Although this law has been around since 2014, this is the first time businesses in Greenwich must comply, thanks to recent changes to previous exemptions.
To support local businesses, Greenwich’s Public Works and Conservation Departments are working with Waste Free Greenwich and Food Rescue US to educate them on the new law. The Center for EcoTechnology also provides free help to businesses looking to improve their waste management strategies.
For more information, check out the Waste Free Greenwich website.
