Princeton Finds a Sustainable Path Back to Food Scrap Recycling

Princeton, New Jersey has found a practical route back into organics diversion after the municipality’s previous curbside food scrap collection program became increasingly difficult to sustain. Years of rising transport costs, processing disruptions, and contamination-related rejections exposed the limitations of the service, while the town’s Climate Action Plan reinforced the need for a viable food waste solution. Rather than reinstating an expensive curbside model, Princeton began exploring alternative approaches that could deliver environmental benefits without the same operational risks.

With support from a USDA Composting and Food Waste Reduction grant, Princeton launched a pilot drop-off program that offered residents a lower-cost alternative to curbside collection. After initial trials using standard carts, the town introduced secure metroSTOR food scrap enclosures with controlled access, helping protect material quality while making participation convenient. The new approach has enabled Princeton to restore organics diversion through a scalable, manageable model that can expand without creating significant operational or contamination challenges.

Read the case study here.