Connecticut Food Waste Laws
What New Canaan institutions need to know about organic waste diversion requirements
5
NC institutions must comply
Jan 1, 2026
Compliance deadline
26 tons
Annual threshold
New Canaan Has Less Than 8 Months to Comply
Based on South Elementary School's measured data, at least 5 New Canaan institutions exceed the 26-ton annual threshold and must implement organic waste diversion programs by January 1, 2026.
Understanding Connecticut's Organic Waste Recycling Law
The Law (CT General Statutes § 22a-226e)
Connecticut requires certain commercial and institutional generators of organic waste to source-separate and recycle their organic materialsrather than sending them to landfills or incinerators.
Originally applied to:
- Commercial food wholesalers and distributors
- Industrial food manufacturers
- Supermarkets (52+ tons/year initially, now 26+ tons)
- Resorts and conference centers
NEW: Schools & Institutions (Effective January 1, 2026)
As of January 1, 2026, the law expands to include:
K-12 Schools & Educational Facilities
Public or private schools generating 26+ tons per year of source-separated organic materials (SSOM)
Institutions
Hospitals, colleges, correctional facilities, and other institutions providing hospitality, entertainment, rehabilitation, or health care services that generate 26+ tons per year
* In New Canaan: This includes senior care facilities like Waveny Care Center and Silver Hill Hospital
Location Requirement (Removed for Schools)
Originally, the law only applied if generators were within 20 miles of an authorized composting facility. However, for K-12 schools, this distance requirement was removed effective July 1, 2026.
What this means for New Canaan:
Schools must comply by January 1, 2026 regardless of proximityto processing facilities. They can either install on-site systems or contract with haulers who transport to facilities anywhere in the state or region.
What Qualifies as "Source-Separated Organic Materials" (SSOM)?
Accepted Materials:
- Food scraps (pre- and post-consumer)
- Food-soiled paper products
- Compostable serviceware
- Yard waste and landscaping debris
- Waxed cardboard
Excluded Materials:
- Plastic packaging
- Metal utensils
- Glass containers
- Traditional plastic serviceware
- Liquids (must be drained first)
Which New Canaan Institutions Must Comply?
Based on actual measured data from South Elementary School(Curbside Compost, March-May 2025) and extrapolations using per-student and per-meal waste rates, the following institutions exceed the 26-ton threshold:
K-12 Schools (3 of 5 must comply)
New Canaan High School
~1,400 students • 1 lunch/day • 180 days
Threshold Status
288% over limit
Current Annual Cost
$8,400
Must Comply By
Jan 1, 2026
Largest generator in town. With nearly 3x the threshold, NCHS must implement robust diversion program. Potential for on-site composting or biodigestion to serve as educational resource.
Saxe Middle School
~800 students • 1 lunch/day • 180 days
Threshold Status
165% over limit
Current Annual Cost
$4,816
Must Comply By
Jan 1, 2026
Second-largest generator. Middle school students can participate in composting education programs.
South Elementary SchoolMEASURED DATA
~450 students • 1 lunch/day • 180 days
Threshold Status
92% of limit
Current Annual Cost
$2,688
Compliance Status
Already composting!
Currently below threshold but close. Already partnered with Curbside Compost since March 2025. With increased participation or slightly higher waste generation, could exceed 26 tons. Serves as model for other schools.
East & West Elementary Schools
~400 & ~350 students respectively
Threshold Status
Below limit
Legal Requirement
Not required
Recommendation
Voluntary
Not required to comply but should consider voluntary participation in district-wide program for consistency and educational value.
Senior Care & Healthcare Institutions (2 must comply)
Waveny Care Center
~200 residents • 3 meals/day • 365 days + staff
Threshold Status
200% over limit
Current Annual Cost
$5,824
Must Comply By
Jan 1, 2026
Town-owned facility. Serves 3 meals/day, 365 days/year. Second-largest institutional generator after NCHS. Prime candidate for municipal composting partnership.
Silver Hill Hospital
~150 patients • 3 meals/day • 365 days + staff
Threshold Status
154% over limit
Current Annual Cost
$4,480
Must Comply By
Jan 1, 2026
Private healthcare facility. Full-service psychiatric hospital with 3 meals/day year-round. Must establish its own compliance program or partner with hauler.
Compliance Options & Cost Analysis
Institutions have three primary pathways to comply with the law. Each has different upfront costs, ongoing expenses, and benefits.
Option 1: Contract with Licensed Hauler
Pros:
- No upfront capital investment
- Quick implementation
- Hauler handles all logistics
- Minimal staff training needed
- Flexible contracts
Cons:
- Ongoing annual expense
- No local benefit (compost leaves town)
- Transportation carbon footprint
- Less educational value
- Subject to price increases
Cost Breakdown (Example: Curbside Compost)
Option 2: On-Site Aerobic Composting System
Pros:
- Produces usable compost on-site
- Educational opportunity for students
- Lower long-term costs
- No hauling carbon footprint
- Full control over process
- Compost for school gardens/grounds
Cons:
- Upfront capital cost
- Requires staff time/training
- Needs space for equipment
- Odor management required
- Takes 8-12 weeks to produce compost
Cost Breakdown
Option 3: District-Wide Municipal SystemRECOMMENDED
Pros:
- Serves all 5 schools + town facilities
- Economies of scale
- Centralized management
- Educational value across district
- Compost for all town properties
- Can add senior care facilities
- Grant funding available
Cons:
- Requires inter-department coordination
- Larger upfront investment
- Needs dedicated staff
- Site selection required
- Longer implementation timeline
Cost Breakdown (Centralized System)
Why This is the Best Option:
- Lower per-ton cost: $80-110/ton vs. $150-200/ton for haulers
- Long-term savings: System pays for itself in 2-3 years
- Grant eligible: Can offset 50-80% of capital costs
- Complete solution: Handles schools + town facilities
- Educational value: Teaches sustainability to 3,000+ students
- Local benefit: Compost stays in New Canaan for parks/gardens
What Will Compliance Cost New Canaan?
Current (Non-Compliant)
$30,912
Annual tipping fees for 5 institutions that must comply (276 tons combined)
- • NCHS: $8,400
- • Saxe: $4,816
- • South: $2,688
- • Waveny: $5,824
- • Silver Hill: $4,480
- • + Fines for non-compliance TBD
Option: Hauler Contracts
$41,400-55,200
Annual hauling fees for 3 schools (142 tons) + senior facilities manage separately
- • Schools pay: $21,300-28,400/yr
- • Waveny pays: $7,800-10,400/yr
- • Silver Hill pays: $6,000-8,000/yr
- • Ongoing annual expense
- • Subject to price increases
Option: Municipal SystemBEST
$0 to -$5,000
Net annual cost after avoided tipping fees (potentially cash-positive)
- • Capital: $50-65K (after grants)
- • Operating: $15-20K/year
- • Savings: -$20-25K/year
- • Payback: 2-3 years
- • Then saves money annually
Bottom Line Comparison (5-Year Total Cost)
Current (Non-Compliant)
$154,560
+ potential fines
Hauler Contracts
$207,000-276,000
ongoing expense
Municipal System
$50,000-65,000
one-time + ongoing savings
Municipal system saves $140K-210K over 5 years vs. hauler contracts
Resources & Contacts
State Resources
New Canaan Contacts
Department of Public Works
Transfer Station & infrastructure
(203) 594-3024
Questions About This Analysis?
This page was created by Planet New Canaan using actual measured data from South Elementary School's composting program. For questions about methodology, data sources, or to discuss compliance options: