Welcome to Our Learning Hub
Build sustainable habits for real life.
Practical guidance for composting, food waste, apartment-friendly systems, and everyday tools—made simple, doable, and judgment-free.
🍽️ Food Waste 101
Food waste doesn’t start in the trash—it starts in the kitchen. When food ends up in landfills, it breaks down without oxygen and can produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
Food scraping is a simple habit: separate scraps after meals so they can be composted instead of trashed. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s learning what belongs where and keeping contamination out.
Food scraps like peels, cores, shells, and leftovers are often misunderstood and thrown away simply because people aren’t sure what belongs where. When food waste ends up in landfills, it breaks down without oxygen and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Food scraping (separating scraps after meals) is one of the easiest ways to reduce household waste. Learning what can be composted, what can’t, and how to sort properly helps prevent contamination and keeps compost programs running smoothly.
Small daily choices—like scraping plates before rinsing—add up to big environmental impact.
🌱 Composting Basics
Composting is the natural process of turning food scraps and organic materials into nutrient-rich soil. Instead of sending waste to the landfill, composting allows it to break down properly—reducing methane emissions and returning valuable nutrients back to the earth.
You don’t need a backyard or fancy equipment to get started. Whether you’re composting through a municipal program, a community drop-off, or a home system, the basics are the same: separate food scraps correctly, keep contamination out, and build consistent habits.
Composting isn’t about perfection—it’s about participation. Every banana peel, coffee ground, and veggie scrap diverted makes a difference.
🏢 Apartment Living
Living in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t compost. Apartment composting can be easy when your setup fits your space. The key is a small system that controls odor, stays tidy, and makes food scraping feel effortless.
Many apartment residents assume composting is inconvenient or unavailable, but there are more options than ever—from city programs and shared collection bins to countertop prep systems that fit seamlessly into small spaces.
Apartment composting is about smart systems, odor control, and routine. With the right tools and clear guidelines, food scrap separation becomes just as easy as taking out the trash.
Eco-friendly living should work in real life—and that includes renters, shared housing, and multi-unit buildings.
🧰 Tools & Habits
Sustainable living works best when it’s convenient. A few helpful tools—like a prep bin, clear labels, and compostable liners (where accepted)—can reduce mess and make routines easier to maintain.
Simple tools like compostable liners, kitchen prep bins, labeled containers, and reminder systems can remove friction from daily routines. When tools are convenient and habits are easy to maintain, participation naturally increases.
The most effective habits are:
Scraping plates immediately after meals
Keeping compost bins visible and accessible
Learning local sorting rules
Reducing contamination through awareness
Progress beats perfection. Sustainable habits grow through repetition, not pressure.
📍 Local Programs
Local composting and food-scrap programs make it easier to reduce waste, cut landfill use, and return nutrients back to the soil. Whether you’re participating through a city pilot, a community drop-off, or a regional transfer station, these programs help turn everyday food scraps into a valuable resource.
EcoGreen Pathways supports and amplifies local efforts that make sustainable living accessible, practical, and community-driven.
🟢 New Haven Composting Initiatives
New Haven is actively expanding food-scrap diversion through pilot programs, community partnerships, and infrastructure investments led by the Office of Climate and Sustainability.
Current initiatives focus on:
Public compost drop-off locations
Smart bins accessed via mobile apps
School and community pilot programs
Food waste reduction education
New Haven has also secured funding for a future citywide residential food-scrap program, including processing facilities that will support composting and renewable energy production.
👉 Explore New Haven Compost Programs
🟡 Regional Drop-Off & Community Composting Programs
Across Connecticut, many towns participate in regional food-scrap recycling programs that allow residents to drop off compostable materials at designated sites.
Organizations like the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) coordinate organics recycling options for multiple towns, helping reduce disposal costs while keeping food scraps out of landfills.
These programs typically accept:
Fruit and vegetable scraps
Coffee grounds and filters
Eggshells
Plate scrapings (no plastic contamination)
Availability and rules vary by town. 👉 Find a Drop-Off Near You
🟢 Transfer Stations & Compost Sites
Many Connecticut municipalities operate compost drop-off sites or accept food scraps at transfer stations. Some locations also offer finished compost giveaways to residents during the growing season.
Programs may include:
Seasonal compost sites
Transfer-station food-scrap collection
Proof-of-residency compost pickup events
Participation requirements (stickers, fees, bag rules) differ by town, so checking local guidelines is important.
👉 Check Local Transfer Station Options
👉CT DEEP – Food Residual Composting Facilities
📜 Connecticut-Wide Composting & Organics Recycling
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) supports composting and organics recycling statewide through grants, education, and waste-reduction initiatives.
Connecticut is also expanding commercial food-scrap separation requirements, reinforcing the state’s commitment to reducing landfill use and methane emissions.
Connecticut residents outside of New Haven can use the statewide Recycle CT “Can I Recycle It?” Wizard to check recyclability, disposal rules, and drop-off options across the state.
For residents outside of Connecticut, most cities and states offer their own recycling search tools through local Public Works or environmental agencies. National databases such as Earth911 also provide zip-code–based recycling guidance for most U.S. locations.
Eco tip: bookmarking your local recycling lookup tool makes sorting faster and less stressful before trash or recycling day.
👉 Waste Wizard – New Haven Recycling Search Tool
Statewide resources include:
Residential composting guidance
Organics recycling laws and updates
Municipal and private collection options
👉 Learn About CT Composting Programs
💡 Tips for Participating Successfully
Always follow local sorting rules to avoid contamination
Use certified compostable liners when required
Keep food scraps free of plastics, glass, and metal
When in doubt, check town or program guidelines
Consistent participation keeps programs running smoothly and helps expand composting access across communities.
🌱 Looking Ahead
EcoGreen Pathways will continue adding:
Local program updates
New Haven-specific guidance
Community partnerships
Educational tools tied to regional initiatives