Food Waste Bill Passes Senate

Today, the Senate passed S865 (Smith)/A2371 (Kennedy). The bill requires large food waste generators to separate and recycle food waste and amends the definition of “Class I renewable energy.” The bill was passed with a vote of 22-17. The bill will now go to the Governor’s desk to sign.

“New Jersey has a serious problem with food waste, and this legislation needs to get passed this year to help deal with it. Food waste fills up our landfills and releases methane and CO2 into the atmosphere. We currently waste between 30-40% of our food supply each year. Requiring large food waste generators to compost food will help get it out of our waste stream and reduce our greenhouse gases. We are concerned that the DEP can grant a waiver to allow food waste to go to incinerators and landfills, and that biogas is defined as a Class I renewable energy,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “The Assembly and Senate have both acted, now Governor Murphy must sign this bill quickly. As we move toward getting to zero carbon, we need to move towards getting to zero food waste.”

According to a report, an estimated 40 percent of food produced in the US is wasted every year. This adds up to about 62.5 million tons, costing households, businesses and farms about $218 billion annually. Also wasted were the resources that went into producing the food, including 25 percent of all freshwater consumed, 31 percent of total carbon emissions, and 80 million acres of farmland used in the US according to the EPA.

“This bill will help get food waste out of landfills and reduce methane emissions. However, defining biogas as a Class I renewable energy is not accurate. Biogas releases greenhouse gases because it requires burning, and it is not renewable because it is generated from waste. Class I renewables should be forms of energy that are actually renewable, like solar, wind, waves, and geothermal. We believe that biogas should be defined as a different form of energy, perhaps Class II or something else. Class I renewable energy should continue to define forms of clean, renewable energy that do not produce greenhouse gases,” said Tittel. “We are also concerned that the DEP can grant a waiver to allow food waste to go to incinerators and landfills.”

Using composted food waste as fertilizer enriches soil, helps retain moisture and suppress plant diseases, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. It also encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter.

“This is an important step in the right direction for handling New Jersey’s food waste, but we need clear targets to reduce food waste. California has already reduced their food waste by 50%, and they are moving toward a target of 75% by 2025. We need to pass legislation with similar targets, like S340 (Smith/Greenstein) that calls for 50% reductions by 2022 and 75% by 2027. We are in a climate crisis and our waste is a major contributor. We also need education programs to help people and restaurants learn how to reduce and reuse food waste,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.  “This legislation will help reduce and reuse food waste in a sustainable way. Converting food to energy will produce a tremendous amount of energy while reducing methane emissions.”