Do you need help staying compliant with the New Jersey Food Waste Bill? Learn more about our composting solutions for New Jersey businesses.
On the 14th of April this year, the long awaited New-Jersey Food Waste Bill was signed into law. Large generators of food waste are now required to separate and recycle the material rather than sending it to landfill. The bill applies to any establishment or business which generates an average projected volume of 52 tons or more of food waste per annum. So, what are the business composting solutions for those businesses and organizations looking to comply with this new legislation?
In essence, there are two different options: you could either send waste to a suitable facility to be dealt with, or you could manage food waste through onsite composting or an alternative onsite food waste management system.
Off-Site Food Waste Recycling
Businesses located within a reasonable distance of an authorized food waste recycling facility could send their separated food waste away for disposal. This is a viable option. But it is worthwhile remembering that transportation costs could be a factor. It is also worth remembering that transportation also likely comes with a carbon cost. This could negate some of the environmental benefits of dealing with food waste.
On-Site Food Waste Recycling
Perhaps a better and more sustainable way to comply with the Food Waste Bill is to set up an onsite composting system.
EcoRich composters are an eco-friendly, sustainable and practical way to deal with your food waste on site. In just 24 hours, one of these electrically powered aerobic digesters will compost all food waste, including meat and bones, and turn it into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. EcoRich offers different size machine for each food waste producers.
Fed on food waste alone, and with no harmful by products, one of the these composters utilizes heat, fresh air and heat-tolerant micro-organisms to break down the waste and turn it into something useful. The exhaust vent will release only water vapor, a little carbon dioxide, and small amounts of condensed water.
This is a very practical solution, since as the material breaks down, it reduces in volume by up to 85% each day. So the compost will not have to be removed daily. Less volume of material to be removed means lower costs – both in financial terms, and for the planet.
What is more, the finished compost is a valuable resource. It could be returned to the natural environment, or even used for food production on site, to close the loop and complete the cycle. You may even find that you are able to sell this useful gardening material to local gardeners or growers to offset the costs of the installation.
Food waste sent to landfill decomposes anaerobically, and releases methane – a potent greenhouse gas. This food waste bill addresses this important issue. As businesses, it is important to comply. But you may also, by composting on site, be able to take sustainability one step further. You can not only deal with food waste, but also provide a valuable compost. It could help get your community growing, and boost food security moving forwards.
