Question 1

How does the food scraps collection pilot program work?

Accepted Answer

The Pilot Program will last for 1 year. Residents will be provided with a total of 52 green food scraps bags. At home, residents will separate food scraps from their trash and place in the green bags. Non-recyclable trash will go in your yellow bags. Each week, residents will place full green and yellow bags to the curb as you normally do for curbside trash pick up.

Question 2

How do I get my free bags?

Accepted Answer

Each household will receive a postcard mailer with 2 green food bags. The mailer will also contain information on how to download an app to get a voucher for your supply of bags. We will have bag pick up locations set up at community locations where you can redeem your voucher the week before the program begins.  
Each household will receive 52 green food scrap bag (8-gallons each), one for each week of the pilot.

If you have any trouble with the app or making it to a pick up event, please contact the Stonington Solid Waste & Recycling Office using the contact information at the bottom of the page.

Question 3

Will the Stonington Food Scrap Collection Pilot Program change what containers I use for trash?

Accepted Answer

No. This program will not require you to change the containers you use for your trash bags. You can place both the yellow trash bags and green food scraps bags together inside your own trash can. Please ensure the bags are tied for disposal.

Question 4

What if I need additional bags?

Accepted Answer

Households will be provided with 1 green bag for food scraps for each week of the pilot. Additional food scrap bags will be available for purchase at local retailers. List to be provided at a later date.

Question 5

How do I recycle?

Accepted Answer

There are no changes to the recycling program. Please continue to place your bottles & cans, paper & cardboard in your recycling bin. Items should be clean and dry and placed loose in your bin. Questions about recycling? Learn more about recycling here.   (https://www.reducethetrash.com/stonington-recycle)

Question 6

How much does this cost and do I have to participate?

Accepted Answer

The pilot program is free - you will be provided with an allotment of green food scraps bags to use during the pilot.  We encourage each resident to separate out food scraps as best they can. The more you separate out from your trash, the fewer yellow bags you will need to purchase! With rising disposal costs, it is important to separate out food scraps and recyclables from disposal.  Learn more here.  (https://www.reducethetrash.com/stonington-foodscraps)

Question 7

Where do the food scraps go?

Accepted Answer

Once collected, the green food scrap bags will be sent to Quantum Biopower in Southington, CT. Quantum is an anaerobic digestion facility that turns food scraps into clean, renewable energy and compost, saving it from the trash can.

Question 8

Should I be concerned about odors?

Accepted Answer

No. Remember, co-collection is not adding new odors to your waste stream. It is simply separating food from trash. Food scraps in separate green bags produce no more odor than when it’s not separated from the trash. Keeping a tight lid on your indoor kitchen food scrap collection bucket will keep odors out. Rinsing kitchen buckets as needed and putting food scrap bags out for weekly collection (even if they are not full) should keep odors to a minimum. In the summer, you may choose to keep food scraps in the freezer in a separate container until just before collection. 
The Town of Stonington is offering FREE 4-gallon green lidded buckets to collect food scraps at home! Pick one up when you get your green bags.

Here are some additional tips:
1. Seal it.  Keep the lid tightly closed at all times to prevent odors and nuisance pests like fruit flies. 
2. Cool it. Store your bin out of direct sunlight if you can, as heat can speed up smells.
3. Cover it. You can also add in any newsprint, soiled paper towels, or napkins to your food scrap bag, as that might assist with any odors. Stale bread can also help here.
4. Freeze it. If you are finding that even with the lid the smell is off-putting, consider keeping a small container (such as a small bag or Tupperware-type bowl) in your fridge/freezer to collect the scraps before you transfer to the green bag and place out on your collection day. Nothing can stink when it is frozen! If you can’t fit all of your food waste inside the freezer, consider freezing meat and dairy scraps as they are often the smelliest.
5. Sprinkle it. If your kitchen pail smells, sprinkle a bit of baking soda inside to neutralize the smell.

Question 9

Do you have any tips for keeping food scrap bins clean, dry, and odor free?

Accepted Answer

• Drain liquids before putting food scraps in your kitchen bin.
 • Include soiled paper towels and napkins to help absorb liquids.
 • Keep food scraps in freezer until just before pickup.
 • Wrap meat, poultry, and fish in newspaper.
 • To get rid of summertime fruit flies, set a trap. Place a small bottle of cider vinegar, with a few drops of dish soap added to it, near your kitchen bin. 
 • Place your green food scraps bag out for collection every week, even if it is not full.

The Town of Stonington is offering FREE 4-gallon green lidded buckets to collect food scraps at home! Pick one up when you get your green bags.

Question 10

Won't this create more work?

Accepted Answer

With co-collection you are just moving food scraps into a different bag. You also won’t need to take out the trash as often.

Question 11

I backyard compost or use an in-sink garbage disposal. Should I participate in the curbside food scraps collection program?

Accepted Answer

Backyard composting is great and encouraged! You may decide you want to use curbside food scraps collection for certain items (eggshells, meat, bones, and dairy, prepared foods) or to use in the winter.

To reduce the risk of costly sewer backups, we strongly urge residents to switch from in-sink disposals and use the curbside co-collection program for food scraps. It will also save on your water usage and produce usable fertilizer.

Question 12

I am interested in reducing my waste, what else can I do?

Accepted Answer

·         Reduce your food waste. Keep your refrigerator clean and organized so you know what you have before you shop. Store leftovers in clear containers so you can see what’s in them. Use a shopping list. Use your freezer. Reduce other household waste by avoiding single use disposable items and choose products with minimal packaging.

·         Reuse: Use reusable shopping bags and coffee mugs. Repurpose glass jars at home. Donate household items and clothing. Consider cloth napkins.

·         Recycle: Remember the basics: Recycle your paper & cardboard and empty bottles & cans. Items should be clean and dry and placed loose in your collection bin. Also, try the What’s In What’s Out tool at www.recyclect.com (http://www.recyclect.com/)Type in the product you are wondering about and the tool will tell you if its recyclable.

·         Compost: Place all your food scraps i(https://www.reducethetrash.com/stonington-foodscraps)n the green bags!  Fruits & Veggies, Eggs & Eggshells, Meat & Seafood (include bones and shells), Coffee Grounds & Tea Bags, Dairy, Pasta, Grains & Bread, Cookies, Cake, & Candy. You can also include food-soiled paper, such as napkins and paper towels, greasy pizza boxes. Please no plastic, no metal, no sanitary waste, no pet waste.

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