The New Jersey Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) to combat food waste by amending the definition of Class I renewable energy, and requiring certain solid waste generators to separate and recycle food waste. 133 billion pounds, or approximately 31 percent of the overall food supply generated in the United States every year is wasted, according to the United States EPA.
“A number of towns in New Jersey, such as Princeton and Lawrence Township, have already taken action to encourage their residents to recycle food waste. New Jersey as a whole needs to do more to tackle this environmental crisis,” Senator Bateman said. “By reducing food waste, we can combat climate change, and address food insecurity at the same time.”
Senator Bateman’s bill, S-4039, would require every large food waste generator that is located within 25 road miles of an authorized food waste recycling facility and generates 52 or more tons per year of food waste to source separate that food waste, and send it to an authorized food waste recycling facility that has available capacity and will accept it.
The bill requires these facilities to begin complying with these requirements by January 1, 2020. The legislation defines a “large food waste generator” as any commercial food wholesaler, distributor, industrial food processor, supermarket, resort, conference center, banquet hall, restaurant, educational or religious institution, military installation, prison, hospital, medical facility, or casino that produces at least 52 tons per year of food waste.