Planet New Canaan's Path to Zero Food Waste
Planet New Canaan is leading the charge to eliminate food waste in our community. Through data-driven solutions, community engagement, and sustainable infrastructure, we're building a zero-waste future for New Canaan.
Planet New Canaan's Zero Food Waste Challenge
Understanding our current food waste footprint and the opportunity to achieve zero waste
Total Food Waste
0tons/year
Current Tipping Fees
$0/year
$112/ton
Potential Savings
$0+/year
CO₂e Emissions
0tons/year
How We Compare
New Canaan's waste management performance vs. state and national averages
Per Capita Food Waste
Food Waste Diversion & Recycling Rates
Data Sources
Estimated based on town data. Official data requested from municipal sources.
State averages from CT DEEP waste characterization studies. View source
National benchmarks from EPA's waste and recycling reports. View source
Where Does Our Food Waste Come From?
Breaking down the 2,400 tons of annual food waste by source
Residential
1,000 tons/year (41.7%)
Annual Cost
$112,000
Schools
600 tons/year (25.0%)
Annual Cost
$67,200
Restaurants
400 tons/year (16.7%)
Annual Cost
$44,800
Supermarkets
250 tons/year (10.4%)
Annual Cost
$28,000
Senior Homes
150 tons/year (6.3%)
Annual Cost
$16,800
South School: Leading the Way
Measured DataSouth Elementary School is New Canaan's pioneer in food waste measurement, providing real data that helps us understand our community's impact.
90 tons/year
Organic food waste generated
$10,080/year
Current tipping fees ($112/ton)
First to measure
Setting the standard for data collection
Why this matters: South School's measured data provides a baseline for estimating waste from other schools and helps validate our town-wide projections. Their leadership demonstrates the importance of data-driven environmental action.
Food Waste Sources Map
Detailed breakdown of food waste generation across New Canaan by location and source type
Tipping Fee Calculator
Calculate how much your organization is spending on food waste disposal at $112 per ton
Current tipping fee rate: $112 per ton
Annual Food Waste
0.06 tons
Annual Tipping Fees
$6.72
Potential Annual Savings with Composting
$5.04
* Savings estimate based on reduced disposal costs and potential compost revenue. Actual savings may vary.
Solutions Comparison
Evaluating our options: from current landfill disposal to sustainable composting and biodigestion
Current State
Landfill Disposal
Cost per ton
$112
CO₂e emissions
2 tons per ton
Environmental benefits
None
Infrastructure
Existing
Processing time
Immediate
Output
Methane gas
Aerobic Composting
Organic Waste Processing
Equipment cost
~$50,000 one-time
Operating cost
Lower than landfill
CO₂e reduction
80% reduction
Benefits
Rich soil for parks
Processing time
8-12 weeks
Output
Nutrient-rich compost
Anaerobic Biodigester
Energy Generation System
Equipment cost
$200K - $1M
Operating cost
Moderate
CO₂e reduction
95% reduction
Benefits
Renewable energy + fertilizer
Processing time
3-4 weeks
Output
Biogas + digestate
💰 Funding Available: Federal tax credits: 30-50% (IRA Section 48)
Success Story: Stamford, CT
Stamford has successfully implemented municipal composting systems, diverting thousands of tons of organic waste from landfills annually and providing free compost to residents.
Massachusetts Leading the Way
Massachusetts achieved 7% waste reduction - the only state meeting goals - through extensive processing facilities, minimal exemptions, and active enforcement.
Sources: Equipment costs based on Stamford CT program and commercial vendor quotes. CO₂e calculations use EPA WARM Model methodology. Federal tax credits per IRA Section 48 (30% base + bonuses). Biodigester costs from Chomp Inc. preliminary proposal (Jan 2024). View all sources →
Interactive Savings Calculator
Calculate potential savings, environmental impact, and payback period for different waste management solutions
Your Information
Annual waste: 6.00 tons
Current annual cost: $672
Impact Analysis
Annual Savings
$432
Operating cost: $240/year
CO₂e Reduction
9.60 tons/year
Equivalent to removing 2 cars from the road
Compost Production
3.00 tons/year
Nutrient-rich compost for local use
Investment Payback Period
115.7 years
Initial investment: $50,000
Planet New Canaan's Impact Roadmap
Our strategic milestones on the path to zero food waste
50% Food Waste Diversion
If we diverted half of our food waste from landfills
of total waste
Annual Savings
$134,400
CO₂e Reduction
2,400 tons
Cars Removed
520 vehicles
All Schools + Senior Homes Composting
Composting all cafeteria and facility food waste
of total waste
Annual Savings
$84,000
CO₂e Reduction
1,500 tons
Equivalent Impact
Removing 200 cars
Biodigester for Institutional Waste
Schools + senior homes produce enough waste to power homes
of total waste
Homes Powered
50 homes
Annual Energy
2,300 MMBtu
Fertilizer Output
225 tons
Planet New Canaan's Zero Waste Vision
Through Planet New Canaan's comprehensive zero food waste initiative, we will save over $200,000 annually, eliminate 4,800 tons of CO₂e emissions, and establish New Canaan as Connecticut's first zero-waste community. Together, we're proving that environmental leadership and economic prosperity go hand in hand.
Food Waste = 8-10% of Global GHG
Organic waste decomposition is a major climate contributor
Methane 80x More Potent Than CO₂
Landfill methane accelerates climate change
40% of U.S. Food Supply Wasted
Massive opportunity for impact
Success Stories
Learning from proven models and local initiatives making a real difference
Food Rescue US Fairfield County has diverted over 46 million pounds of food from landfills while providing 38 million meals to those in need. Their volunteer-driven model demonstrates the power of community action.
Food Diverted
46M+ lbs
Meals Provided
38M+
Volunteers
1,000+
Stamford's municipal composting program has successfully diverted thousands of tons of organic waste from landfills annually, providing free compost to residents and demonstrating a proven model for Connecticut towns.
Annual Diversion
3,000+ tons
Compost Distributed
Free to residents
Program Age
5+ years
Massachusetts is the only state meeting waste reduction goals, achieving 7% reduction through extensive processing facilities, minimal exemptions, and active enforcement with regular inspections.
Waste Reduction
7%
Processing Facilities
Extensive network
Enforcement
Active inspections
UC Davis's biodigester processes campus food waste to generate renewable energy that powers their food distribution hub, demonstrating the viability of anaerobic digestion for institutional settings.
Energy Generated
Renewable biogas
Waste Processed
Campus-wide
Model
Institutional scale
Facts & Figures
Understanding the global impact of food waste and the power of local action
Food waste generates 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Source: IPCC
If food waste were a country, it would be the 3rd largest emitter behind US and China
Source: UN Environment Programme
Methane is 80x more potent than CO₂ as a greenhouse gas over 20 years
Source: EPA
40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted annually
Source: USDA
Aerobic composting reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 80% vs landfill
Source: EPA
Anaerobic digestion can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95%
Source: EPA WARM
What Can Be Composted?
Food Waste
- • All fruits & vegetables
- • Meat & dairy
- • Bread & grains
- • Coffee grounds
Yard Waste
- • Leaves & grass
- • Small branches
- • Garden trimmings
- • Plant material
Paper Products
- • Paper towels
- • Napkins
- • Uncoated plates
- • Pizza boxes
Other
- • Eggshells
- • Small bones
- • Tea bags
- • Wood chips
Regulatory & Funding Information
Understanding requirements, incentives, and available funding for food waste management
Connecticut Regulations
26+ Tons Threshold
Connecticut requires businesses and institutions generating 26 or more tons of organic waste annually to divert it from landfills through composting, anaerobic digestion, or donation.
Who This Affects
Large restaurants, supermarkets, schools, hospitals, and food manufacturers. In New Canaan, this includes most institutional and commercial food waste generators.
Compliance & Reporting
Businesses must maintain records of organic waste diversion and may be subject to inspections by CT DEEP (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection).
Available Grants & Funding
Financial SupportFederal Programs
- •IRA Section 48: 30-50% tax credits for biodigester installations
- •DOE Grants: Department of Energy funding for renewable energy projects
- •USDA Programs: Rural development and environmental quality incentives
State Programs
- •CT DEEP Grants: Environmental assistance and waste reduction programs
- •Green Bank: Connecticut Green Bank financing for clean energy projects
- •Municipal Grants: Local government infrastructure improvement funding
Potential Savings: With available tax credits and grants, the upfront cost of composting or biodigester infrastructure can be reduced by 40-60%.
Massachusetts Success Model
Massachusetts is the only state meeting waste reduction goals with a 7% reduction achieved through:
Extensive Network
Comprehensive processing facility infrastructure across the state
Minimal Exemptions
Strict requirements with few exceptions for waste generators
Active Enforcement
Regular inspections and compliance monitoring
Our Partners
Working together for a sustainable New Canaan
Join Planet New Canaan's Zero Waste Movement
Every action brings us closer to zero food waste. Choose how you want to contribute to Planet New Canaan's mission.
I Want to Compost
Start composting at home or sign up for residential pickup
My Business Wants to Participate
Join the commercial food waste diversion program
I'll Volunteer
Help with Food Rescue US or community composting efforts
Support This Initiative
Contact Planet New Canaan to advocate for change
Questions? Want to learn more about Planet New Canaan's initiatives?
Contact Planet New Canaan