Beginning January 1, 2022, the New York State Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law goes into effect. This law prohibits any large generator of food waste (producing more than 2 tons per week) from disposing of that food waste as garbage. Food waste must be donated, composted or delivered to an Anaerobic Digester for energy production.
Since 2019, the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority has operated a Source Separated Organics Processing Facility located at the Eastern Transfer Station in Utica. This Facility allows us to accept food waste, process the material and send it to the Oneida County Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) where it will be anaerobically digested and utilized to offset the energy demand of the WPCP. Large generators that deliver food waste to our Food2Energy Facility will satisfy the state requirement to recycle their organization's food waste.
For more information about the NYS Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law, please visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's website.
With Food2Energy, we are able to divert food waste, which makes up roughly 22% of the waste stream, from the Regional Landfill.
Food2Energy is simple and cost-effective! The tipping fee for garbage in Oneida & Herkimer Counties is currently $60/ton, while the tipping fee for Food2Energy is $40/ton.
Reducing, donating and recycling food waste will save energy, resources and money. If you fall under the law, or want to reduce food waste at your school or business, please CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US. The Authority is available to perform waste audits, provide educational training, informational brochures/posters and more to reduce food waste at your organization.
CLICK HERE to view the completed Source Separated Organics Feasibility Study.
The Authority is able to separate the packaging from the food scraps. The recovered food scraps are sent to the Oneida County Water Pollution Control Plant where they are turned into energy through a process called Anaerobic Digestion.
Food waste is a social, economic and environmental problem. Reduction of food waste via smart purchasing and proper food storage can help. For food waste that is not prevented, donation to people or animals is encouraged. For additional waste, composting or other food waste recycling is encouraged – and depending on how much food waste is generated – may now be required by law.
Are you a restaurant, business, or individual interested in participating? Feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns you have about the Food2Energy Program. You may also contact us to schedule a tour of our facilities to see how it works.
Thank you for contacting us.
