Food Scraps/Organics Collection and Diversion Working Group

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Food Scraps/Organics Collection & Diversion Working Group

Commercial Organics Recycling Law - Legal Review
August 27, 2024; 9:30am - 11am

Slide Presentation

Organics Infrastructure Initiative - Opening Forum
February 26, 2021; 10:00am - 1:00pm

As part of the Food Scraps/ Organics Collection & Diversion working group's recommendation, this forum worked to continue dialogue between municipalities and key stakeholders on issues surrounding infrastructure and services for organics collection and processing.

Agenda
Meeting Minutes
Panelist Contact List
Slide Presentation
Public Comment/ Feedback Survey

Meeting #5

December 10, 2020 1:00pm-3:00pm

Agenda
Meeting Minutes

Presentation:
DEEP slide presentation

Meeting #4

November 19, 2020, 1-3

Agenda
Meeting Minutes

Presentations:

DEEP slide presentation
Caren Harder, Environmental Compliance Specialist 3, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection – Commercial Organics Recycling Law
Daria Larson, Graduate Student Professional Intern, South Central Regional Council of Governments – Farmer Food Donation Factsheet and Project (Caren's and Daria's presentations are combined)

Resources:

Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic - Strengthening Connecticut's Organic Recycling Mandate
DEEP Web page - Food Waste Reduction and Recovery

Meeting #3

November 4, 2020 10am-12pm

Agenda
Meeting Minutes

Presentations:

DEEP slide presentation
Jon Fife, Smart Feed Tech Board Member– Commercial Animal Feed from Food Waste
Dawn Pettinelli, UConn Master Composter Program Director, Associate Extension Educator Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut – Educational Resources to Support Backyard Composting
Steve Changaris, CT NWRA Chapter Director - Co-collection of Organics from the Hauler Perspective
Poll: What should this working group share out with the greater coalition as key focus areas to consider?

Meeting #2

October 20, 2020 1-3pm

Agenda
Meeting Minutes

Presentations:

DEEP slide presentation
Chris Field, Vice President, WeCare Denali - Commercial Composting Systems
Mike Bisi, Superintendent of Sanitation, Glastonbury – Municipal Food Waste Program and Collections at a Transfer Station
Ariel Ardura, Clinical Fellow, Harvard Food Law Policy Clinic - Understanding Food Donation Laws in CT

Meeting #1

October 9, 2020 9:00– 11:30am

Agenda
Meeting Minutes

Presentations:

DEEP Presentation
Ashley Muspratt, Center for EcoTechnology – Technical Assistance Resources and Success
Bob Spencer, Director, VT – Windham Solid Waste Management District –
VT Organics Diversion Program
Brian Paganini, Vice President, Quantum Biopower – Anaerobic Digestion
Samuel King, President, Blue Earth Compost – Curbside Collection in CT
Debra Darby, Manager, Tetra Tech – Co-collection Programs

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Food Scraps/Organics Collection & Diversion Working Group