We can help you take the next step!
With the adoption of New Jersey’s Food Waste Recycling Law (effective October 2021), there has been an increased focus on addressing wasted food across the state. CET is available to provide support in these efforts and is excited to contribute to the diversion of wasted food in New Jersey. To learn more, or to request assistance, contact CET today at 888-813-8552 or e-mail wastedfood@cetonline.org.
Helpful New Jersey Wasted Food Resources
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Learn more about NJ businesses that are reducing, rescuing, and recycling their surplus food and waste. These businesses are an inspiration for many and can be motivational tools to inspire businesses and institutions to implement or expand their own programs.
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- The State of New Jersey School Food Waste Guidelines
- Resources developed by The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Department of Health, and the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, to advise K-12 schools and higher education institutions on how they can effectively reduce, recover, and recycle food waste.
- Helpful fact sheets on food donation laws from the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic:
- The Sustainable Organic Material Management Plan
- In August 2021, The New Jersey Climate Change Alliance Organics Workgroup published with Sustainable Organic Material Management Plan. The plan focuses on NJ’s current practices and opportunities for reducing food waste; maximizing the recovery of edible food; food waste management in schools; community-scale composting; development of large-scale organics recycling infrastructure; and sustainable animal manure management. CET participated as a Steering Committee member.
- Recycling facilities in New Jersey that accept food waste
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection list of recycling facilities in the state and indicates those facilities that accept wasted food.
- Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and the New Jersey Food Bank Good Samaritan Act
- The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (Public Law 104-210) and the New Jersey Food Bank Good Samaritan Act (N.J.S.A. 24:4A-1 to -5) protect donors from civil and criminal liability should the food, donated in good faith to a nonprofit organization, later cause harm to the needy recipient.
- New Jersey Chapter of the U.S. Composting Council
- New Jersey’s state chapter of the U.S. Composting Council, a nonprofit organization that provides resources, educational materials, training, networking, and career advancement opportunities for those involved with the compost manufacturing and organics recycling industry.
- The NJCC has also created a New Jersey Food Waste Recycling Law FAQ and Guidance, which provides useful information about the law beginning in October 2021.
- Mid-Atlantic Food Waste Policy Gap Analysis and Inventory
- This report includes a review of current policies, regulations, plans, and goals in place that can help or hinder food waste diversion in four Mid-Atlantic states, including New Jersey. It provides a brief overview of existing policies, with links to more detailed information, as well as highlighting opportunities to further diversion. The report was developed for the NRDC, with support from CET, the Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic, and BioCycle.
New Jersey Legal/Regulatory Requirements
- Bill A-4705, passed May 2019, established the New Jersey Food Waste Task Force to identify and make recommendations related to reducing wasted food throughout the state. This includes strategies related to source reduction, food donation, consumer awareness, and modifications to date labeling.
- Effective October 2021, Bill A-2371, requires every large food waste generator that produces an average projected volume of 52 or more tons of food waste per year, located within 25 miles of an authorized food waste recycling facility, to source separate and recycle food waste at an appropriate facility. Generators may be exempt if the cost of transporting and processing the food waste at the recycling facility exceeds 110 percent of the cost to transport and dispose of the food as solid waste. As stated on NJ DEP’s Food Waste page, plate waste is not included in the average projected volumes.
- Bill S-3027, passed in 2017, established statewide targets to reduce the disposal of organic waste by 50% compared to 2017 levels by 2030. This Bill also required the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to develop a plan to support the state in achieving this goal. The Draft Food Waste Reduction Plan is now available online.
Toolbox
For more information regarding food waste estimates, source separation guidance, and how to start a food donation program, open CET’s Toolbox.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP, CONTACT US!
Contact CET to learn more about food recovery and waste diversion opportunities for your business, institution, customers, or association members: