By Anne Levin

Thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Princeton households will be able to recycle food scraps at an expanded number of drop-off sites.

The municipality has been awarded a $245,590 Compost and Food Waste Reduction grant to expand its food scraps recycling program, currently serving 223 residents at two sites, 400 Witherspoon Street and Monument Hall. The town plans to add 10 locations to be determined, which will serve about 1,200 households. The program is free for all Princeton residents.

Princeton Council approved the pilot program for two sites in May 2023. The goal, which aligns with the town’s Climate Action Plan, is to divert food waste from landfills. This helps reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions, two potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

“Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas,” said Jenny Ludmer of Sustainable Princeton, which has been working on the plan. “Food waste generates methane, and it goes to the landfill. It is a significant waste stream.”

Once collected at the sites, the food scraps are processed at Trenton Renewables, which uses anaerobic digestion technology to generate electricity and soil amendment from the food scraps.

“Based on the amount of food scraps collected from the two existing sites, Princeton anticipates the expansion to 12 sites could result in diverting 63 tons of food scraps from the landfill each year,” reads a release from the municipality, adding that it is equivalent to growing 230 tree seedlings for 10 years.

Another feature of the expanded plan is to ensure equitable implementation. “All residents can participate at no cost, regardless of where they live within Princeton,” reads the release. “By creating 12 strategically located drop-off points across the municipality, Princeton aims to significantly increase participation in the program by a variety of residents, including its underprivileged community members.”

Sites under consideration include “several neighborhood schools and other municipally-owned sites.”

“As a participant in Princeton’s food scraps program, I’ve found the drop-off system incredibly easy and convenient,” said Princeton Councilmember Eve Niedergang. “It’s a great way to make a difference without much effort, and I’m excited to see more locations added around the municipality.”

Princeton previously had a curbside recycling program, including over 1,200 households at its peak. But it was discontinued due to factors including the inclusion of unacceptable items, such as plastic bags, with the materials to be composted; and evidence that the materials were not being taken to the proper facility.

The main driver for the new model versus curbside was cost.

Having the drop sites is a more fiscally responsible way for a municipality to collect the waste,” said Ludmer. “I would encourage everyone to think about joining one of these sites as they become available. It’s actually easier than you might think.”