City to Begin Collecting Food Scraps at Recycling Center

From Kim O'Rourke, City of Middletown Recycling Coordinator.
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In an effort to reduce waste and recycle more, the City has initiated a food scrap collection at the Recycling Center.    Residents can bring banana peels, apple cores, coffee grounds and other food scraps to the recycling center where it will be transported to an anaerobic digester in Southington and turned into clean energy and compost.

A Food Scrap drop off area will be available at the Recycling Center.  Items such as breads, pastas, fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products can be brought to the area for collection.  All items must be emptied out of containers or plastic bags. The only bags that are acceptable are paper bags or compostable bags. 

In order for this program to work, it is very important that only the correct items are put in the carts.  A full list of acceptable items can be found online (photo at right).

• No regular garbage is allowed in the food scrap container.   
• No plastic bags are allowed in the food scrap container. 
• Only food scraps, either loose, or in paper or compostable bags are acceptable. 

The City encourages homeowners to compost at home but if they can’t, this is an option to keep food scraps out of their trash and put them to good use.   Russell Library will be hosting a composting workshop on Sept. 18 at 6:30 pm with the City’s Recycling Coordinator, Kim O’Rourke, and Master Backyard Composter, Hetti Motoc, from the Middletown Garden Club.   The City is also sponsoring a backyard compost bin sale through Sept. 24.   Compost bins and rain barrels can be ordered online.

EPA estimates that food waste can make up 15% of our total trash.   By removing it from the waste stream, we can turn it into a usable product, renewable energy and reduce trash, which ultimately saves money and helps our environment.

 Residents can utilize the new food scrap drop off any time the Recycling Center is open, which is always Monday – Friday 7 am – 3 pm and in August, it is open the first and third Saturday of the month, 7am – 12 noon.  Starting in September through November, it is open every Saturday, 7am – 12 noon.    There is no charge to recycle food scraps, but you must be a Middletown resident to use the Recycling Center.

If you have questions on the drop off, please contact the City’s Recycling Coordinator at 860-638-4855 or kim.orourke@middletownct.gov.