Would You Opt For Food Waste Collection Program? Let Princeton Know

PRINCETON, NJ — During the last Council meeting Princeton decided to consider changes to the Municipality waste disposal program to contain increasing costs and decrease carbon footprint.

Since 2018, the cost of waste pickup in Princeton has increased by at least 18 percent. Under the new proposal, there are plans to change garbage collection. More: Princeton Prepares To Begin New Sustainable Waste Disposal Program

The change will include a town-wide organics collection. This will help the township reduce the amount of material going to the landfill, and will contain disposal costs. The material will be repurposed by the selected disposal vendor to create a new product.

Princeton previously had a voluntary organic waste program that was terminated in 2019.

To gauge the interest of residents, Princeton has put together a short survey. The aim of the survey is to gather feedback on the food waste-organics disposal program.

The current trash collection contract expires in January 2023, and Princeton is seeking bids in October 2022 for a new service.

Until the bids are open, the municipality cannot guarantee town-wide organics collection will be provided. Only eligible residential properties can participate in program – they are those who have one to four dwelling units. Multi-family homes greater than four units are not eligible for this service. Some neighborhoods with homeowner associations are also not eligible.

To participate in the survey, click here.

Among the proposed changes are plans to provide residents with a 64-gallon disposable cart at no cost. Families who need another will have to pay extra for a 32-gallon model.

The garbage bins will be automated or semi-automated with a mechanical arm attached to a truck picking them up. This would also reduce labor costs and injury among workers.

There are also plans to change the way bulk waste is collected in town. Currently, the collector must drive around Princeton to pick up bulk waste from curbs. This increases costs. Under the new system, residents will have to make a reservation for the bulk waste pickup via phone or online.

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