The Norwalk Public Schools Facilities/Planning Committee meeting on April 30, 2025, focused on the upcoming mandate for composting in school cafeterias, set to take effect on July 1, 2026. This requirement will affect all K-12 schools that produce more than 26 tons of organic waste annually and are located within a 20-mile radius of a composting site. Given that most schools in the district fall into this category, the committee discussed the implications and preparations needed to implement this program.

Currently, two schools, Jefferson and Cranberry, are already composting with the help of Blue Earth, a company that provides composting services and training. The committee emphasized the need to ensure all facilities are equipped and trained to manage composting effectively. Discussions included the potential for collaboration with the city of Norwalk, which is also developing its composting initiatives. The city has formed a green team to address sustainability issues, and the school district aims to align its efforts with the city's plans.

Financial concerns were a significant topic, as the estimated cost for implementing the composting program across all schools is approximately $100,000 annually. The committee acknowledged the challenge of integrating this new requirement into an already tight budget and expressed the need to explore cost-saving measures, including potential grants and partnerships with the city to build composting infrastructure.

The committee plans to keep the board updated on progress and strategies as they work towards meeting the state mandate. They highlighted the importance of proactive planning, noting that similar composting mandates have been implemented in other regions, such as New York City, which could influence future regulations in Connecticut.

In addition to the composting discussions, the meeting briefly touched on construction updates for ongoing projects at South Norwalk and Norwalk High Schools, indicating that these projects are currently on schedule. The committee concluded with a commitment to continue addressing both composting and construction needs as they move forward.