Canton Collects Food Waste In Recycling Initiative

CANTON, CT — This month, the Town of Canton has declared war on food waste in town, implementing a new program where folks can collect food waste and dispose of it at the local transfer station.

The program began Aug. 1, with the goal being to reduce the amount of waste Canton has to collect and have hauled out to landfills.

According to Canton officials, 30 percent of Canton's trash is food waste, such as uneaten and expired food items.

By separating out food waste, Canton hopes to reduce the amount of its refuse by 30 to 40 percent.

But even if folks don't collect food waste for collection at the 202 Ramp Road transfer station, Canton officials are urging them to, at least, create a compost pile and deposit the waste there.

To help folks collect food waste, the town has free collection containers and bags available for program participants. They can be obtained by calling the town at 860-693-7863.

The containers, according to town officials, are practically bear proof and keeps "smells in and insects out."

Once a collection container is filled, residents have two options: dump in their compost pile or take it to the transfer station, where a transfer station permit is still required.

Town officials said the food waste dumped at the tranfer station must be in "clear plastic or compostable bags only." No black bags allowed.

The free collection bins are not required to use the food waste collection location at the transfer station, according to the town.

Food waste collected by the town is then hauled away to Quantum BioPower in Southington, where it is processed into "clean fuel."

To order a free, town-supplied food collection bin, call 860-693-7863.