{leaves in chasing arrow format} Organic materials that are kept separate from the trash are highly recyclable and should be thought of as a resource, not a waste. Significant increases in recycling rates can be achieved through composting and other organics recycling efforts. The Connecticut DEEP has successfully focused efforts on establishing large-scale leaf composting facilities, promoting home composting and grasscycling, and sponsoring pilot programs to compost organics at schools and other institutions. These programs have helped keep food scraps, yard trimmings and grass out of the waste stream, reduce waste handling and disposal costs, return valuable nutrients to the soil, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, thereby decreasing non-point source pollution. 

Next on the horizon, the Department will be studying the commercial and institutional generators of organics, such as grocery stores, food processors, and universities, and working toward encouraging the development of manufacturing facilities to turn those organics into pelleted animal feed, liquid organic fertilizer or compost products.

Find out about organics recycling:

Sources of Compost in CT

School Composting Manual

Compost Erosion Control Study

Large-Scale Leaf & Grass Composting

Brush and Stump Management

Food Waste Pilot Projects

Food Waste Mapping Study

Resource List

Content Last Updated on September 28, 2011