TITLE
ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT THE COMPOSTING AND FOOD WASTE REDUCTION PILOT PROJECT GRANT FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO PILOT STRATEGIES FOR INCREASING FOOD RESCUE AND FOOD SCRAP DIVERSION IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
BODY
WHEREAS, studies estimate that nearly one third of New Haven's solid waste stream is organic material that could be composted; and
WHEREAS, currently the City of New Haven's food waste is incinerated along with other municipal solid waste at the Bridgeport incinerator, exacerbating regional air quality and contributing to the air pollution that causes climate change; and
WHEREAS, the New Haven Office of Climate and Sustainability recognizes that composting recycles nutrients from food scraps, leaves, woody debris, and other organic matter; and
WHEREAS, the New Haven Office of Climate and Sustainability recognizes that composting reduces air pollution and improves soil health; and
WHEREAS, the New Haven Office of Climate and Sustainability recognizes that converting wasted food to animal feed, is behind only source reduction and feeding hungry people in the Environmental Protection Agency's Food Recovery Hierarchy as it makes productive use of food that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled; and
WHEREAS, reducing New Haven's carbon footprint will require all entities to adopt sustainable materials management practices; and
WHEREAS, residences and businesses served by private haulers make up nearly two thirds of the City's solid waste tonnage annually; and
WHEREAS, public schools play an essential role in educating our youth regarding recycling, composting, and sustainable materials management; and
WHEREAS, New Haven Office of Climate and Sustainability recognizes that it is critical to pilot and demonstrate the value of food waste diversion strategies for large residences and commercial business; and
WHEREAS, the City of New Haven will, in partnership Center for EcoTechno...
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