To the Editor:

I write regarding the award-winning curbside pickup composting program that Princeton has successfully pioneered for well over a year. By signing up for this convenient service, hundreds of families here have effortlessly sent tons of organic waste to a commercial composting facility, instead of to landfills. This program includes many more materials than even the most dedicated backyard composter could handle: bones from meat/poultry/fish; table scraps and dairy products, soiled paper plates, towels and napkins, anything labeled “for commercial composting,” and — best of all — pizza boxes.

And of course this program also benefits those who cannot or do not wish to do backyard composting.

Like other curbside compost customers, my household has taken pride in reducing the amount of “plain old trash” left to throw out. So we’re disappointed to learn that this valuable service has not been included as a requirement in the waste collection bids for consolidated Princeton. This omission seems puzzling, because our municipality has to pay for trash disposal by weight, and wet organic material is the heaviest component of regular trash. Continuing this popular program could actually save money; but if it is not in every bidder’s response, how will the bids be comparable?

I hope that residents will continue to have the option of compost collection. Our town has shown itself to be a leader by achieving consolidation. What a pity if this progress is accompanied by a step backward in our “green” leadership.

Caroline Hancock

Laurel Road