Brunswick looks to increase food waste recycling in town

BRUNSWICK – The town and its Recycling and Sustainability Committee have launched an organics recycling initiative aimed at increasing residential food waste recycling, an effort that will lower the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by waste as well as the amount the town pays to dispose of garbage.
Brunswick residents recycle about 200 tons of food waste annually through home composting and curbside collection service. The town estimates that it can increase the amount to 400 tons a year with a three-pronged approach that is funded in part by a $19,311 waste diversion grant from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Diverting food waste from the traditional disposal methods of landfilling and incineration will help the town reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, as well as save $17,000 in annual disposal fees by increasing its food waste recycling to 400 tons per year.
The new initiative is focused on raising awareness about how residents can recycle their food waste in Brunswick: composting at home, signing up for curbside collection service provided by Garbage to Garden, or bringing food waste to a drop-off site in town.
The town in February hired Eliza Blood as an organics recycling intern to help facilitate the program. Blood is a recent graduate of Bates College and was drawn to the position by her love of gardening and working and recreating outdoors. Through a series of community workshops and presentations this spring and summer, she will discuss how residents can take advantage of the organics recycling options that are available to them.
“I am excited to begin connecting with Brunswick residents, and helping them discover how to recycle their food waste instead of throwing it away in their household trash,” Blood said.
The town will offer home composters for sale at a discounted price and will set up a second food waste drop-off site to further encourage residents to recycle their food waste.
“We are incredibly thankful to be a recipient of this solid waste diversion grant,” Jay Astle, public works director, said. “We appreciate the Department of Environmental Protection’s support as we strive to increase food waste recycling in Brunswick.”
For more information, visit www.brunswickme.org/Public-Works.