Additionally, the program — which allows participants to put compostable waste in a separate can for weekly curbside pick-up — will also now accept city restaurants who wish to participate.
(Photo by Rick Epstein)Lambertville Mayor and City Council last night voted unanimously to expand the city's groundbreaking "third can" food waste composting program, aiming to more than double the number of participating households by year's end.
Additionally, the program -- which allows participants to put compostable waste in a separate can for weekly curbside pick-up -- will also now accept city restaurants who wish to participate.
"Over the past year, we've been closely monitoring our pilot composting program with the hope that we could expand it," said Mayor David DelVecchio. "We found not only were participants diverting more waste from the landfill, but many residents were asking how they could be involved. I'm incredibly proud of what this program has become, and hopeful of what it will become."
The mayor said the city will soon send out notices advising residents of how they can sign up for the program, with the stated goal of having new participants ready for their first pick-up by Dec. 1. The expansion will be limited to the first 100 responding households, which will pay a one-time fee of $45 to receive their curbside can, countertop compost holder, and a supply of compostable waste bags.
Restaurants would pay a one-time $90 fee, and would also receive a notice that can be prominently displayed in the business noting their participation in the program. Up to 10 restaurants would be allowed to join from those that currently rely on municipal trash and recycling.
"It was very important that we found a way to include our restaurants in the expansion the program, given not only the amount of waste we can help them compost but that they would be the most visible ambassadors for the program," said DelVecchio.
The 75 households who have been participating in the program since May 2014 will see their participation continue at no cost.
Since the program's inception, participants have composted a total of 12.8 tons of food waste, which otherwise would have been sent to a landfill -- an average of 341 pounds per participating household.
"Composting has been a tremendous complement to our single-steam recycling, which I strongly believe is the best municipal program in the state," said DelVecchio. "By giving residents another option for their waste other than a landfill, we not only save money, but we also do something positive for our environment."
The program was launched with a $10,000 Sustainable Jersey grant from the New Jersey State League of Municipalities' Educational Foundation. With the addition of funds from the one-time fee, no tax money is being used to expand the program. Mayor DelVecchio lauded the efforts of the City Public Works Director Lester Myers and the members of the Lambertville Environmental Commission in helping to map out the plans for the program's expansion.