FRP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - General
Q: What is the Food Recycling Pilot Program (FRP)?
A: The FRP was a 9-month study, from March - December, 2021. Participating households (approximately 100) agreed to recycle all of their food scraps, deliver them to the recycling center, and provide the department with data. In turn, that data helped the municipality to gain valuable insight into the challenges that households encounter, the quantity of material generated and how the quantity changes over time, as well as how to scale the program in the future. As of January, 2022, participants were no longer required to submit weekly data; however, we encourage all participants to maintain open communication with the department and to freely share their observations, concerns, and suggestions.
Q: Why is Ridgewood doing this?
A: 1) Food is one of the largest parts of our solid waste stream. We pay to send food trash to the landfill, and costs are increasing. 2) Food impacts landfill space and emissions. It forms methane as it breaks down, a potent greenhouse gas. 3) “Worldwide 24 billion tons of fertile soil disappears each year” (UNCCD, 2011). Through this program, food waste will be broken down and returned to the soil, as a vital soil amendment. 4) Although some Ridgewood residents compost their organic waste at home, most do not. This program offers an expanded option for food waste disposal, providing a means to include residents who are unable to do backyard composting, or who will continue backyard composting, but would also like to recycle items that are not compatible with backyard composting programs like meat and bones.
Q: Who is paying for the program?
A: Ridgewood Recycling and we have worked very hard to contain costs. The collection containers (both those used in the home and at the recycling center) were obtained through a Bergen County grant. The price we pay to dispose of food collected each week is low, and our participants are committed to following the rules of the program and helping us to avoid contamination charges.
Q: What is accepted?
A: All food, Beans, Bones, Bread, Coffee Grounds & Filters, Dairy, Eggshells & Eggs, Food-Soiled Napkins & Paper Towels, Fruits, Grains, Meat, Pasta, Poultry, Rice, Seafood, Tea Bags (no staples), Vegetables
Q: What happens to the food that is collected?
A: Food is delivered to Trenton Renewables where it is turned into compost and organic fertilizer for local farms as well as renewable biogas to power the state-of-the art facility.
Q: Who transports the food to Trenton Renewables, and how often?
A: Ridgewood’s hauler is Natural Upcycling, a company that services the Trader Joe’s and Wegmans in our area. Because their vehicles are already passing Ridgewood and are already trucking material to Trenton Renewables, they provided competitive pricing and weekly service.
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