Inspiring residents with new ways to recycle food waste

Manchester, CT is getting serious about food waste with the launch of a new Food Scrap Drop-off Pilot Program. Spearheaded by Recycling & Community Coordinator Rachel Schnabel, the initiative gives residents a simple way to recycle food scraps while learning about their environmental impact. Participants register to receive a free composting kit and access one of four drop-off points – forming what the team calls the “Food Waste Diamond.” These locations are familiar community spots like the library and senior center, making participation easy and convenient.

To ensure smooth, secure operations, the program uses metroSTOR’s foot-operated F-series enclosures combined with the metroKEY app. This allows the town to track usage, reduce contamination, and collect valuable data without interrupting normal waste services. Already, over 120 households have joined, diverting about a ton of food waste monthly – helping turn trash into energy and sparking a model that other towns could soon follow.

Read the case study here.