Refuse District Offers $100 Discount on FoodCyclers for Local Residents

The Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District is offering a limited number of $100 discounts to encourage residents to reduce household food waste through the FoodCycler In‑Home Food Scraps Diversion Program.

The first 10 New Bedford residents and first 10 Dartmouth residents who purchase a FoodCycler through the program will receive a $100 discount funded by the District, making this a more affordable opportunity to use an in‑home food waste reduction system.

Food scraps such as banana peels, eggshells, citrus rinds, meat, leftovers, and even shellfish can all be processed in a FoodCycler — a countertop appliance about the size of a coffee maker or bread machine. Manufactured by Food Cycle Science (FCS), the FoodCycler converts food waste into a dry, odorless, nutrient‑rich material within hours, reducing food waste volume by up to 90 percent. FCS estimates that depending on your electricity rate, using the FoodCycler regularly should cost no more than $2-4 per month for electricity.

Significant Discounts for Participating Residents

Since the FoodCycler is being offered at a reduced price provided by FCS, residents can purchase FoodCyclers at prices well below retail:

• Eco 3 FoodCycler (3.5L Capacity):
  • Reduced price offered by FCS: $269 + $20 shipping (retail $499.99)
  • With District discount: $169 + $20 shipping
• Eco 5 FoodCycler (5L Capacity):
  • Reduced price offered by FCS: $319 + $20 shipping (retail $599.95)
  • With District discount: $219 + $20 shipping

The discount will be available beginning April 29, 2026, while supplies last.

• New Bedford residents: use promo code NEWBEDFORD100
• Dartmouth residents: use promo code DARTMOUTH100

To learn more and purchase a FoodCycler, visit https://www.fcs-events.com/foodcycler-gnbrrmd.

What To Do With the End Product

The resulting end‑product, called Foodilizer™, is a dry, nutrient‑rich soil amendment. Residents can:

• Mix it with soil for gardens. For best results, combine one cup of Foodilizer™ with approximately 20 cups of soil. For example, 10 cups of Foodilizer™ should be blended with about 12½ gallons of soil. FCS recommends incorporating the mixture into garden soil 4–6 weeks before planting seeds or transplanting plants.
• Add it to a backyard compost bin for further breakdown.
• Drop it off at their local transfer station or recycling center designated for food waste.

Reducing Local Waste and Disposal Costs

Approximately 20 percent of residential trash in New Bedford and Dartmouth is food waste, which is disposed of at the Crapo Hill landfill. Diverting food scraps at home helps extend the landfill’s life, reduces disposal costs, and returns valuable nutrients to the soil.

“Reducing food waste is one of the most impactful actions residents can take,” said Anthony Novelli, Executive Director of the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District. “By offering this discount, we’re making it easier for households to keep food waste out of the trash and support long‑term sustainability goals.”

For more information, visit gnbrrmdistrict.org, call the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District at (508) 979-1493, email Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org or text us at (774) 503-0254.