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Needham RTS updates show growth in school food‑waste diversion as reusable trays return
Summary
Staff reported increases in school food‑waste diversion and described a shift from disposable styrofoam and compostable trays to reusable stainless steel trays, along with reported diversion tonnages for recent years and operational notes on processing and dishwasher capacity.
RTS staff reported on June 12 that the town’s school food‑waste diversion program has grown and diverted more food from the solid‑waste stream in recent years, and that the schools are shifting to reusable stainless steel trays.
Staff provided diversion figures the committee said were: 127 tons in 2022, 317 tons in 2023 and 385 tons in the most recent reporting period for school and transfer‑station food waste. Staff described the tray history: schools previously used styrofoam trays, moved to compostable trays (which staff said provided little benefit to anaerobic digesters), and are now using reusable trays that can be sanitized in dishwashers and are more easily recycled if damaged.
Why it matters: Increased food‑waste diversion can reduce the weight sent to MSW processing and create opportunities for anaerobic digestion facilities to produce biogas. Staff said the present diversion numbers are limited by collection and drop‑off logistics but could increase if participation and collection points expand.
Operational notes and staffing: Staff said the hauling contract has been resolved with a new vendor, the MSW contract procurement across multiple communities is being coordinated by DPW director Caris Lustig with a consortium led by Worcester, and the RTS is fully staffed with a new hire, Trevor Haywood, who is completing required training. Staff also described recycling of an old employee trailer and expectation of a new trailer arriving soon.
Next steps: Staff emphasized outreach to expand food‑waste collection and that the DPW service‑delivery study will inform future operations. Committee members suggested using the September meeting to review the service‑delivery study timeline and results once the report is released.
