We can help you take the next step!
New Jersey is working on several legislative wasted food-related initiatives. CET sees an opportunity to leverage its work in Philadelphia to support potential growth of an interstate wasted food marketplace, 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
- Recycling NJ information on business and school food waste recycling
- General information from Recycling NJ about recycling wasted food, including a case study and examples of businesses in New Jersey that collect food and organic waste for composting, biofuel production, or animal feed.
- 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.
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.
- Bill A-2371, approved April 2020, 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. The recycling mandate goes into effect in October 2021.
- The New Jersey Legislature has proposed a number of bills to address wasted food, including:
- Bill S-3274 would establish statewide targets to reduce disposal of organic waste in landfills by 50 percent from the 2016 level by January 1, 2022, and by 75 percent from the 2016 level by January 1, 2027. This Bill also would require the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to adopt regulations to achieve these targets.
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: