The Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) announced it will begin construction this month on the region’s first commercial-scale food waste composting facility. The facility will divert organics from the solid waste stream and convert them into nutrient-rich compost for local farms, gardens, and community projects.
The goal is to provide Southeastern Connecticut with the infrastructure to divert 13,000 tons of organics and food waste from the solid waste stream and process them into nutrient-rich compost for the local community. The new facility, with all its community and environmental benefits, is expected to be operational in December 2026.
Following pilot testing, permitting, and facility design, SCRRRA is now beginning construction of its composting facility on approximately eight acres in Preston, Connecticut. The facility uses a hybrid system that combines aerated static pile (ASP) processing with open windrows to create a cost-effective, scalable solution for receiving and processing food scraps mixed with ground yard waste from municipal transfer stations.
Project highlights
“Connecticut is facing a critical shortfall in solid waste disposal capacity. We are currently shipping 40% of our waste out of state at great cost, both financially and environmentally. We are desperately short of disposal infrastructure. This facility will provide needed relief for the southeast region, recycling what would be waste into a valuable, environmentally friendly product that will benefit all our communities,” said SCRRRA Executive Director, David Aldridge.
SCRRRA continues to work in collaboration with local governments and public works departments in its 12 member municipalities, along with engineering consultant SCS Engineers, including Greg McCarron, PE (USCC Certified Composting Professional and SCS national expert on organics management projects).
The facility will be funded, in part, by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection through its inaugural Materials Management Infrastructure (MMI) Grant Program. Funding will also be provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) program.
Links to Additional Resources:
SCS Engineers is an Emerald Sponsor of The USCC’s Annual Conference and Tradeshow, Compost 2024, the premier professional meeting for composting, organics recycling, and related topics, February 6-9, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Look for this special session featuring SCS Engineers’ Organics Management expert:
The presentation covers the planning and development steps SCRRRA took to permit and build a regional compost facility that accepts food and yard waste. The proposed facility will accept organic material from all its member towns and regional businesses and produce a high-quality soil amendment for farmers and gardeners. SCRRRA will also provide finished compost, at a reduced cost, to disadvantaged communities in the region, for community gardens and beautification projects.
Meet the SCS Engineers team at Booth 507! If you are unsure if composting fits your waste management needs, SCS has an Aerated Static Pile (ASP) Compost System and Pilot Program. The program helps you evaluate your organic waste streams to determine if it is a viable solution before you invest capital. Learn more about the ASP Compost Pilot Program.
SCS has been focusing on the organics materials management sector and has a staff devoted to staying current with the latest trends and technologies. SCS can evaluate and provide unbiased analyses of the approaches and technologies so that municipal officials can make informed decisions for their communities.
Click for conference schedule and registration info
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