Stamford's Food Scrap Recycling Program Sees Success In First Year

STAMFORD, CT — Just over a year after it was implemented, Stamford called its food scrap recycling program "a rousing success" on Thursday.

According to Stamford's Director of Recycling and Sanitation Director Dan Colleluori, Stamford residents recycled 45,939 pounds of food scraps since the program launched in June 2021.

"I get asked why residents should consider composting their food scraps and I always tell them that this is an excellent way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, since garbage in landfills is a major source of methane," Colleluori said in a news release Thursday.

"It also offers potential savings to taxpayers. In 2020, before the food scrap program began, 57,000 tons of garbage were trucked to landfills, at a cost of $75 per ton. Some 30 to 40 percent was food and organic waste. The department also saw a 10,000-ton increase in garbage due last year, while the cost for carting is now $87 per ton," Colleluori added.

There is a large green composting machine at the Katrina Mygatt Recycling Center that processes the food scraps and turns them into compost that participants can take home for their use.

Stamford opted to process the compost on-site instead of carting the food scraps elsewhere as other Connecticut towns are doing. All food, including cooked leftovers, meat, fish and dairy can be recycled in this program. The food scraps must be in compostable bags; no loose food is accepted.

"We’re so encouraged by the response from residents – some of whom are driving all the way downtown from North Stamford – that we are exploring a second site near the Merritt Parkway to make it easier for northern residents to participate in the program," Colleluori said in a news release Thursday.

In March, the Stamford Board of Representatives approved acceptance of a $45,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as an additional $15,000 to purchase and site a second food composting machine.

"Every ton composted is a savings to our budget and the tax base," Colleluori said in a news release. He said the Mygatt composter was purchased with grant money from the state plus funds raised by residents.

Stamford is selling food scrap recycling kits for $20. The kits include a countertop bin, a 6-gallon transport bin with a locking lid, and a roll of compostable bags.

Additional $2 rolls of bags are also available. Interested residents can buy them at the Transfer Station (101 Harborview Ave.) and the Stamford Government Center (888 Washington Blvd.).

Residents are free to use their own containers.

More information about the Food Scrap Recycling initiative can be found on the city of Stamford's website.