In Connecticut, the expected closure of Hartford’s trash-to-energy plant next year and the expense of shipping waste out of state has lawmakers concerned about what to do with all their garbage.
Now there is a different statewide effort to convert food scraps into fuel.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection launched the Organics Infrastructure Initiative last month to try and handle Connecticut’s 2.5 million tons of annual waste.
The initiative would help communities establish compost sites and food collection programs. However, DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes says scaling up organics infrastructure in the state will take a collaborative effort of developers and community leaders to make this happen.
The state is home to only one anaerobic digestion facility that converts organic material into fuel and fertilizer. Three other facilities have been permitted but not built. The Hartford plant that burns all kinds of trash into energy is expected to close next year.
The New York Times reported New York City recycles less than 20% of the over 3 million tons of organic material its residents produce each year.
