Connecticut Food Waste Laws
What New Canaan institutions need to know about organic waste diversion requirements
5
NC institutions must comply
Jan 1, 2026
Compliance deadline
26 tons
Annual threshold
New Canaan Has Less Than 8 Months to Comply
Based on South Elementary School's measured data, at least 5 New Canaan institutions exceed the 26-ton annual threshold and must implement organic waste diversion programs by January 1, 2026.
Understanding Connecticut's Organic Waste Recycling Law
The Law (CT General Statutes § 22a-226e)
Connecticut requires certain commercial and institutional generators of organic waste to source-separate and recycle their organic materialsrather than sending them to landfills or incinerators.
Originally applied to:
- Commercial food wholesalers and distributors
- Industrial food manufacturers
- Supermarkets (52+ tons/year initially, now 26+ tons)
- Resorts and conference centers
NEW: Schools & Institutions (Effective January 1, 2026)
As of January 1, 2026, the law expands to include:
K-12 Schools & Educational Facilities
Public or private schools generating 26+ tons per year of source-separated organic materials (SSOM)
Institutions
Hospitals, colleges, correctional facilities, and other institutions providing hospitality, entertainment, rehabilitation, or health care services that generate 26+ tons per year
* In New Canaan: This includes senior care facilities like Waveny Care Center and Silver Hill Hospital
Location Requirement (Removed for Schools)
Originally, the law only applied if generators were within 20 miles of an authorized composting facility. However, for K-12 schools, this distance requirement was removed effective July 1, 2026.
What this means for New Canaan:
Schools must comply by January 1, 2026 regardless of proximityto processing facilities. They can either install on-site systems or contract with haulers who transport to facilities anywhere in the state or region.
What Qualifies as "Source-Separated Organic Materials" (SSOM)?
Accepted Materials:
- Food scraps (pre- and post-consumer)
- Food-soiled paper products
- Compostable serviceware
- Yard waste and landscaping debris
- Waxed cardboard
Excluded Materials:
- Plastic packaging
- Metal utensils
- Glass containers
- Traditional plastic serviceware
- Liquids (must be drained first)
Which New Canaan Institutions Must Comply?
Based on actual measured data from South Elementary School(Curbside Compost, March-May 2025) and extrapolations using per-student and per-meal waste rates, the following institutions exceed the 26-ton threshold:
K-12 Schools (3 of 5 must comply)
New Canaan High School
~1,400 students • 1 lunch/day • 180 days
Threshold Status
288% over limit
Current Annual Cost
$8,400
Must Comply By
Jan 1, 2026
Largest generator in town. With nearly 3x the threshold, NCHS must implement robust diversion program. Potential for on-site composting or biodigestion to serve as educational resource.
Saxe Middle School
~800 students • 1 lunch/day • 180 days
Threshold Status
165% over limit
Current Annual Cost
$4,816
Must Comply By
Jan 1, 2026
Second-largest generator. Middle school students can participate in composting education programs.
South Elementary SchoolMEASURED DATA
~450 students • 1 lunch/day • 180 days
Threshold Status
92% of limit
Current Annual Cost
$2,688
Compliance Status
Already composting!
Currently below threshold but close. Already partnered with Curbside Compost since March 2025. With increased participation or slightly higher waste generation, could exceed 26 tons. Serves as model for other schools.
East & West Elementary Schools
~400 & ~350 students respectively
Threshold Status
Below limit
Legal Requirement
Not required
Recommendation
Voluntary
Not required to comply but should consider voluntary participation in district-wide program for consistency and educational value.
Senior Care & Healthcare Institutions (2 must comply)
Waveny Care Center
~200 residents • 3 meals/day • 365 days + staff
Threshold Status
200% over limit
Current Annual Cost
$5,824
Must Comply By
Jan 1, 2026
Town-owned facility. Largest single institutional generator. Daily meal service creates consistent high-volume waste stream. Excellent candidate for on-site dehydration or biodigester.
Silver Hill Hospital
~75 residents • 3 meals/day • 365 days + staff
Threshold Status
154% over limit
Current Annual Cost
$4,480
Must Comply By
Jan 1, 2026
Private healthcare facility. Must implement diversion program. Commercial hauler likely most practical solution due to regulatory environment of healthcare facility.
Compliance Options & Cost Analysis
Institutions have three primary pathways to comply with the law. Below is a detailed cost comparison for New Canaan's specific situation.
Option 1: Commercial Organics Hauler
Contract with service for weekly/bi-weekly pickup
How It Works:
- Facility provides bins/buckets for cafeteria and prep areas
- Hauler collects source-separated organics weekly or bi-weekly
- Hauler transports to permitted composting or anaerobic digestion facility
- Facility receives documentation for regulatory compliance
Pros:
- No capital investment
- Turnkey solution - hauler handles everything
- Scalable service (adjust frequency as needed)
- Proven regulatory compliance
Cons:
- Highest ongoing cost
- Recurring monthly fees forever
- Emissions from transport trucks
- Less educational opportunity for students
Cost Estimate (5-Year Total):
$155,000 - $215,000Typical Service Cost
$200-280/ton
Annual Cost (182 tons)
$36,400 - $50,960
Setup/Training
$3,000 - $7,000
* Based on quotes from Curbside Compost, WasteZero, and Big Y Organics for similar institutional contracts in CT
Example Providers in CT:
Curbside Compost
Currently serving South Elementary School
WasteZero / Save That Stuff
Commercial organics pickup throughout Fairfield County
Big Y Organics
School and institutional programs
Quantum Biopower
Anaerobic digestion facility in Southington, CT
Option 2: On-Site Composting or Dehydration
Install equipment on school or facility grounds
How It Works:
- Install food waste dehydrator (e.g., LFC Biodigester, Enviro Whey) or compost system
- Food scraps processed on-site - reduced to 10-20% original volume
- Output used as soil amendment on school grounds or donated to community gardens
- Eliminates hauling costs after initial investment
Pros:
- Lower long-term cost
- Immediate results visible to students
- Educational opportunity - STEM integration
- Usable compost for school gardens/landscaping
- Zero transport emissions
Cons:
- High upfront capital cost
- Requires dedicated space (indoor or outdoor)
- Ongoing maintenance and operational labor
- Electricity costs ($500-1,200/year per unit)
- May need multiple units for larger schools
Cost Estimate (5-Year Total):
$50,000 - $95,000Equipment Cost
$30,000 - $60,000
Installation
$5,000 - $10,000
Annual Operations
$2,000 - $4,000/yr
Maintenance
$1,000 - $3,000/yr
* High School may need 2 units. Senior care facilities excellent candidates for single-unit installation.
Example Equipment:
LFC Biodigester (by BioHiTech)
Microbial digestion, processes up to 300 lbs/day
~$40,000-50,000
Enviro Whey Food Waste Dehydrator
Dehydration, processes up to 150 lbs/day
~$25,000-35,000
Earth Tub In-Vessel Composter
Traditional composting, processes up to 200 lbs/day
~$15,000-20,000
Rocket Composter
Outdoor composting system with aeration
~$10,000-15,000
Option 3: Municipal Organics Collection System
Town-wide program serving schools, institutions & residents
How It Works:
- Town contracts with hauler for coordinated pickup at all schools/institutions
- Potential expansion to voluntary residential collection
- Centralized program management by Public Works Department
- Economies of scale reduce per-ton cost compared to individual contracts
Pros:
- Lowest cost option (bulk purchasing power)
- Turnkey solution - no capital investment
- Town manages all vendor relationships
- Consistent program across all schools
- Can expand to residential service
- Reduces MSW tipping fees for town
Cons:
- Requires town budget appropriation
- Ongoing annual expense
- Coordination across multiple departments
- Less direct student involvement than on-site systems
Cost Estimate (5-Year Total):
$73,000 - $125,000Negotiated Rate
$80-140/ton
Annual Cost (182 tons)
$14,560 - $25,480
Setup & Coordination
$5,000 (one-time)
💰 Net Savings vs. Current Disposal:
Current MSW disposal cost for 182 tons: $20,384/year ($112/ton)
Municipal organics collection: $14,560 - $25,480/year
Annual savings: ($5,104) to $5,824 depending on negotiated rate
* Assumes bulk municipal contract pricing. Individual contracts would cost $155,000-215,000 over 5 years.
Potential Municipal System Structure:
Phase 1 (2025): Mandatory compliance for 5 institutions (schools, Waveny, Silver Hill)
Phase 2 (2026-2027): Expand to other municipal buildings (Town Hall, Library, Community Center)
Phase 3 (2028+): Voluntary residential collection or drop-off program
5-Year Cost Comparison Summary
| Option | Capital Cost | 5-Year Operating | 5-Year Total | vs. Current MSW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Hauler Contracts | $3,000 - $7,000 | $152,000 - $208,000 | $155,000 - $215,000 | +$53,000 to +$113,000 |
| On-Site Equipment (All Sites) | $35,000 - $70,000 | $15,000 - $25,000 | $50,000 - $95,000 | -$7,000 to -$52,000 |
| Municipal Collection System ⭐ | $5,000 | $68,000 - $120,000 | $73,000 - $125,000 | -$23,000 to +$29,000 |
| Current MSW Disposal (Baseline) | - | $102,000 | $102,000 | - |
⭐ Recommended Approach: Municipal System
A municipal organics collection system offers the best balance of cost, simplicity, and compliance. By negotiating a town-wide contract, New Canaan can ensure all institutions comply with the law while potentially saving money compared to current MSW disposal rates, depending on the negotiated rate.
Key advantages over individual contracts:
- $82,000 - $140,000 savings over 5 years compared to individual hauler contracts
- Centralized management reduces administrative burden on each school/facility
- Consistent program design and education across all locations
- Foundation for future residential organics collection
Resources & Next Steps
Connecticut DEEP Resources:
- CT DEEP Commercial Organics Recycling Homepage
Official guidance, regulations, and compliance resources
- CT DEEP Solid Waste Management
List of authorized composting and digestion facilities in CT
Technical & Financial Assistance:
- CT Energy Efficiency Fund (Energize CT Business)
Grants and incentives for energy-efficient equipment like dehydrators
- Food Rescue US - Fairfield County
Donate surplus prepared food before it becomes waste
Immediate Action Items for New Canaan:
Town & Board of Education Coordination (May 2025)
Establish joint task force to evaluate compliance options and secure funding for 2025-26 budget
Request Proposals from Haulers (June-July 2025)
Solicit bids for municipal organics collection contract covering all 5 institutions
Evaluate On-Site Equipment (Parallel Track)
Assess feasibility of dehydrators/composters at high school and senior care facilities
Budget Appropriation (Sept-Oct 2025)
Secure funding approval from Board of Finance for selected compliance approach
Implementation & Training (Nov-Dec 2025)
Install equipment or launch collection service. Train cafeteria staff and educate students.
Compliance Achieved (Jan 1, 2026)
All 5 institutions diverting organic waste in compliance with state law
Want to support this initiative?
New Canaan is advocating for a municipal organics collection system that serves our schools, institutions, and potentially residents. Contact your elected officials to express support.
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