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Morristown environmental commission proposes six-month composting pilot for 80 households, donor to cover town costs
Summary
The Environment Commission presented a proposed six-month composting pilot for roughly 80 households with two drop-off sites, starter kits and lockable collection housings; the commission said a community donor would cover town costs and tied the pilot to New Jersey’s law aiming to reduce food waste 50% by 2035.
The Morristown Environment Commission on May 26 presented a proposed six-month residential food-scrap pilot aimed at diverting waste, reducing tipping fees and preparing the town for state food-waste reduction requirements.
Environment Commission chair Stephan Arington (chair) said the pilot would enroll about 80 households, use two drop-off sites, provide starter kits (five-gallon bucket, kitchen caddy and liner bags), and measure success by tonnage diverted, contamination rates and resident participation. He said the town’s cost as proposed would be zero because a community donor volunteered to fund equipment and operations for the pilot period.
Arington said the commission modeled the program on successful New Jersey drop-off programs and noted that the state recently enacted legislation that aims to reduce food waste by 50% by 2035. He also told council that rising municipal disposal and tipping fees in 2025 added roughly $234,000 in additional costs compared with the previous annual budget, and the commission sees diversion as a near-term way to reduce those charges.
Program details presented included lockable, enclosed collection housings to reduce pest and illegal-dumping concerns, a weekly drop-off schedule for registered participants, and optional $10 resident fees to offset program costs and increase buy-in.
Council members and residents praised the proposal and shared direct experience that household composting reduced garbage volume. Presenters said the pilot would begin with a two- to four-month pre-launch period, followed by pilot operations, evaluation and a decision on scaling.
The Environment Commission said the presentation materials and details will be posted to the town website.
Next steps: The commission will post materials online, proceed with outreach to recruit pilot participants if the council supports the concept, and evaluate tonnage and participation to inform any proposal to scale the program.
