Reduce Wasted Food in connecticut

Reducing wasted food is about building a responsible business that prioritizes its people, customers, and the planet.

Wasted food resources for Connecticut businesses, municipalities, organic recyclers, food relief organizations, and others.

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Free Assistance to Reduce Wasted Food for Connecticut Businesses & Institutions

Our customized assistance programs help you build a workplace that values sustainability, fosters happier employees, and engages customers who share your commitment to making a difference.

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Who uses the assistance?

Connecticut businesses and institutions of all sizes—such as grocery stores, restaurants, event centers, correctional facilities, colleges, universities, K-12 schools—along with municipalities, organics recycling facilities (like composting and anaerobic digestion), food relief organizations, and others, are all eligible for assistance.

“To be honest, I was skeptical at first. However, food waste diversion was so inexpensive to set up, and surprisingly, the kids quickly learned to separate edible food and food scraps from other waste. Ultimately, I’m so glad we’ve implemented this program because of its significant environmental impacts.”

Beecher Road Elementary

Jane Roddy

Kitchen Manager

“One of the defining aspects of our culture at the
ShopRite of Milford is supporting our local community
and helping our neighbors in need. That commitment
includes fighting hunger and improving our environment
to make our community a better place to live, work and
raise a family. In fact, this dedication is true not only at the ShopRite of Milford but also at every ShopRite store.”

ShopRite of Milford

Harry Garafalo

Owner

“The implementation, in turn, opened our eyes to problems that we have since been able to fix, and CET’s assistance was tremendously valuable.”

Little Pub

Doug

Owner

Our Approach: Personal and Practical

Each business is unique, which is why our assistance is tailored to your specific needs. We focus on hands-on, practical strategies that can be seamlessly integrated into your existing operations.

Why it matters?

business assistance to reduce food waste

When your business takes steps to reduce wasted food, you’re doing more than improving operations—you’re fostering a sense of responsibility among staff and customers alike.

Reducing wasted food can help ensure your business complies with Connecticut Commercial Organics Recycling Law, avoiding penalties, while engaging employees in sustainability efforts can strengthen team morale and job satisfaction. By showing your commitment to sustainability, you also attract conscious customers and build lasting loyalty.

FAQs:

What are the historic, current, and upcoming requirements of the Commercial Organics Recycling Law (CGS 22a-226e)?

Starting January 1st 2025, the Commercial Organics Recycling Law (CGS 22a-226e) requires businesses and institutions generating 26+ tons of food scraps per year (or .5 tons a week) to source separate and ensure organics recycling, regardless of their proximity to an authorized source-separated composting facility. Starting March 2025, businesses must also report on their annual food donation and recycling activity. Upcoming changes may further expand compliance requirements. For historic details and current regulations check out this resource.

Unsure of how much food waste you’re producing? Use our calculator to estimate your total tonnage!

What constitutes an “institution” under the Commercial Organics Recycling Law?

According to CT DEEP, “institution” means any establishment engaged in providing hospitality, entertainment or rehabilitation and health care services, and any hospital, public or independent institution of higher education building or facility or correctional facility.

What is commercial organics recycling and SSOM?

Commercial organics recycling encompasses food waste reduction, diversion, and donation by businesses to recycle food scraps and other organic materials instead of disposing of them in the trash.

SSOM (Source Separated Organic Materials) refers to organic waste separated at the source (i.e. at a business or institution) for composting, animal feed, or anaerobic digestion, including food scraps and other biodegradable materials, as defined by Connecticut law.

By minimizing waste, reusing materials, and recycling, organizations can avoid higher disposal costs and contribute to sustainability efforts.

What about public/nonpublic educational facitilites?

As of July 1, 2026, the Commercial Organics Recycling Law (CGS 22a-226e) compliance requirement is expanding to include public or non-public K-12 schools or educational facilities that produce more than 26 tons/year of organic waste, and are located within 20 miles of an authorized Source Separated Organic Materials (SSOM) composting facility.

Why is reducing waste in Connecticut important?

Approximately 41% of Connecticut’s 2.2 million tons of municipal solid waste is organic material. With limited disposal options, approximately 860,000 tons of this material is shipped out of the state to landfills, further increasing disposal costs.

By minimizing waste, reusing materials, and recycling, organizations can avoid higher disposal costs and contribute to sustainability efforts.

Will my business get in trouble for not recycling food scraps?

No, CET is a non-regulatory organization. They focus on helping businesses comply with Connecticut’s recycling laws and reduce waste, offering guidance without penalties.

We’re not doing a very good job recycling, will you still help us?

Yes, CET helps businesses at any stage of their recycling efforts, offering realistic recommendations to improve waste management and environmental compliance.

How it works?

We offer customized solutions tailored to your business’s specific needs, including on-site visits, virtual consultations, and ongoing support.

FAQs:

Who is eligible to receive assistance?

Connecticut businesses—including grocery stores, restaurants, event centers, colleges, universities, K-12 schools, municipalities, organics recycling facilities (such as composting and anaerobic digestion), food relief organizations, and others—are eligible for assistance.

How much will assistance cost for my business?

Assistance is provided at no cost to Connecticut businesses through a contract with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Do you provide on-site assistance?

Depending on the organization’s needs, we can provide a virtual visit, on-site visit, or assistance via phone and email.

What happens during a site visit?

During the site-visit (in-person or virtually), a waste reduction consultant will learn more about your operations and develop a list of potential solutions. Specifically, for businesses, this can include a review of your current waste contract to identify potential opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.

Furthermore, for organic recycling facilities, this could include a review of operations to determine means to improve or expand operations. Finally, we will conduct research on your behalf and deliver a report with customized recommendations for your organization, along with direct assistance to implement one or more of our recommendations.

What materials can you help us recycle?

CET can assist with recycling common materials and hard-to-recycle items like electronics, fluorescent bulbs, pallets, and food waste, including composting and donation options.

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The results are undeniable. Businesses that partner with CET typically see a 30% reduction in wasted food, translating to stronger community impact.

Not only that, but with our no-cost assistance 9 out of 10 businesses experience cost neutrality or cost savings after implementing wasted food solutions.

Get started by filling out the form below or give us a call; a CET expert will follow up with you on how we can help.

"CT DEEP Waste Assistance" Contact Form

Company Name

First Name

Last Name

Title

Phone

Mobile

Preferred Language

Preferred Language - Other

Street

City

State

Zip/Postal Code

Business Type

Number of Staff

Total annual tonnage of waste

How can we help? Please describe what assistance you are seeking. To expedite our response, please feel free to provide any other information about your operations you may have.

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Wasted Food in Connecticut resources

Learn, download & be a sustainable partner by sharing resources to connect businesses with assistance to reduce waste, improve their bottom line, employee job satisfaction, and respond to customer demands for sustainable practices.

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Reduce Wasted Food in connecticut

Free Assistance to Reduce Wasted Food for Connecticut Businesses & Institutions

Jump to Resources ↓

Who uses the assistance?

Beecher Road Elementary

Kitchen Manager

ShopRite of Milford

Owner

Little Pub

Owner

Our Approach: Personal and Practical

FAQs:

FAQs:

Get Assistance

Let us help!

"CT DEEP Waste Assistance" Contact Form

Stay Connected: Get the Latest Resources on Food Waste Reduction

Wasted Food in Connecticut resources

Bans and beyond designing and implementing organic waste bans and mandatory organics recycling laws

Connecticut Food Donation Made Easy

Connecticut Food Waste Estimation Guidance

Connecticut Mail Rackcard

Connecticut wasted food reduction: from policy to practice

Crossing State Lines: Getting the most out of radius provisions in food waste disposal laws

DMHAS Connecticut Valley Hospital Report

Food Donation by Connecticut Schools

Food for Thought: Choosing Between Feeding Animals, Anaerobic Digestion, & Composting in Connecticut

Food Scraps Diversion Guide West Hartford Public School

Food Waste Reduction Made Easy in CT

Food Waste Separation Made Easy in CT

Greenwich Food Matters Challenge

Greenwich Food Matters Challenge

Guidance for Businesses Contracting for Trash, Recycling, and Food Waste Services

How the University of New Haven Reduced Food Waste and Expenses

Kneads Bakery, Café, and Mill’s Perfect Recipe for Waste Reduction

Middletown’s Reusable Takeout Container Pilot

Northeast Anaerobic Digester Accelerator – Food Waste Digestion Insights

Reducing Waste from Restaurant Takeout and Delivery Meals in Connecticut

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Reduce Wasted Food in connecticut

Free Assistance to Reduce Wasted Food for Connecticut Businesses & Institutions

Who uses the assistance?

Beecher Road Elementary

Kitchen Manager

ShopRite of Milford

Owner

Little Pub

Owner

Our Approach: Personal and Practical

FAQs:

FAQs:

Let us help!

"CT DEEP Waste Assistance" Contact Form

Stay Connected: Get the Latest Resources on Food Waste Reduction

Wasted Food in Connecticut resources

join our work, Talk to us!

get resilient content!