Plant New Canaan moves to twice-weekly food-scrap pickup; redeemables shed to open at transfer station

Plant New Canaan representatives told the Conservation Commission March 13 that the town’s transfer-station food-scrap program will move from a once‑weekly pickup to twice‑weekly pickup starting in April, increasing capacity and encouraging more regular drop‑off by residents.

Katie Oweslies of Plant New Canaan said, “Starting in April, we’re moving to a twice a week pickup model, which will essentially double our weekly capacity.” Oweslies also corrected an earlier notice about the redeemer shed delivery date: the shed will be delivered March 31, with the redeemables program going live in April.

The redeemables program will accept eligible plastic bottles and aluminum cans (glass bottles excluded). Plant New Canaan will partner with IraCycle, which will pay 10¢ for each accepted redeemable; proceeds will support Plant New Canaan and other town nonprofits. Oweslies said bottles that would be fed through automated reverse‑vending machines (plastics and cans, not glass) are the intended items.

The commission heard that the South School composting pilot will begin shortly: cafeteria scraps will be collected and picked up twice weekly under the pilot, with Plant New Canaan coordinating logistics.

Participants noted the state composting rule discussed at the meeting, which sets thresholds affecting institutions; meeting attendees referenced a July 1 implementation date for the regulation in discussion. Staff also reminded residents that neighboring towns will host household hazardous‑waste collection events over the spring and summer, and that the transfer station accepts residents’ materials with proof of residency.

Next steps: Plant New Canaan will begin twice‑weekly pickups in April, operate the redeemables shed beginning March 31/April, and move ahead with the South School pilot. The commission and transfer-station staff will continue outreach to encourage resident participation.