A sizable portion of waste in Connecticut is heavy food scraps. Diverting the scraps to be used for compost, energy and animal feed was identified as a key method to reduce the state’s solid waste output, according to a legislation proposed by Governor Ned Lamont. The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection gave grants to four municipalities to reduce food waste in their communities. They join a longer list of towns and cities that have received money for the project, which has distributed $10 million.
The money is used to collect food scraps from residents at transfer stations. “Food scrap diversion is a simple and proven-effective method of reducing the amount of solid waste that ends up being shipped out of state and often ends up in landfills,” State Environmental Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “These SMM pilot programs provide municipalities with the tools to explore options that can help them reduce their waste disposal costs and insulate their residents from steadily rising tip fees.”
The state agency’s recent grants, which total $570,000, were awarded to Bethel ($42,000), Bethlehem ($120,000), Middlebury ($115,000), and Kent ($55,400). Newtown will be expanding their program with a $244,300 grant. The funds were included in Lamont’s budget proposal.