To the Editor:

I am deeply troubled to learn that our municipality has solicited bids for new contractors to haul Princeton’s waste without requiring that all the bids provide for a composting pick up. Moreover, the Princeton Curbside Food Waste Program is no longer accepting participants and may be discontinued.

The Princeton Curbside Food Waste Program was launched in June 2011. In only one short month, ten (10) tons of organic waste was saved from landfills. The Township received an Innovation Award from Sustainable Princeton for the program.

Why would Princeton consider any bids that would result in abandoning a successful program that leads us toward creating a more sustainable and conscious community? Four hundred and sixty Princeton residents are already participating and paying for this program, demonstrating that we are a community that cares about composting!

Bids are due back on October 3, 2012. I urge residents and participants to vocalize their support for the program during the review period. In this election year, I reach out to all local candidates to make known their position on the program.

Abandoning the Curbside Food Waste Program would be huge step backwards for our community. With this program, Princeton has the opportunity to lead by example and show other towns how to act socially, ethically and economically responsible with the waste we generate.

Bainy Suri

Chestnut Street