How to Recycle Food Waste in New Jersey: Complete Guide to Reduction, Donation, and Composting

ReGenesis Materials
May 26
3 min read

Why Food Waste Matters More Than You Think

Food waste isn’t just a household nuisance — it's a global crisis. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food waste is the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S. Methane, a greenhouse gas over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide, significantly accelerates climate change. Since the industrial era began, atmospheric methane levels have risen by over 250%, largely driven by landfilled organic matter.

Every year, over 40 million tons of food are discarded in the U.S. That’s equivalent to throwing away nearly 40% of the country’s entire food supply, yet millions still go hungry.

New Jersey’s Food Waste Crisis

Closer to home, New Jersey sends over 1.3 million tons of food waste to landfills and incinerators annually. In 2017 alone, much of this waste was still edible. Meanwhile, over 750,000 residents — including 1 in 6 children — struggle with food insecurity.

The Cost of Food Waste: Financial, Ethical, and Environmental

Household impact: The average New Jersey family wastes $1,600 per year on uneaten food.
National loss: Across the U.S., this translates to nearly $50 billion annually in consumer food waste.
Resource waste: For every pound of food wasted, there's a ripple effect — wasted water, energy, labor, packaging, and transportation emissions.

1. Waste Reduction Starts at Home

The first and most effective step is reducing food waste at the source. This means:

Smart shopping: Create meal plans and shopping lists to avoid overbuying.
Proper storage: Learn how to store produce, dairy, and pantry items to extend shelf life.
Love your leftovers: Repurpose last night’s dinner or freeze portions for later use.

2. Food Donation in NJ: Feeding Communities, Not Landfills

When food is still safe and edible but won’t be consumed, donate it.

Where to Donate:

Local food banks like the Community FoodBank of NJ
Religious and civic organizations
Food rescue platforms like Table to Table

3. Composting in New Jersey: Closing the Loop

For food scraps that are no longer edible, composting offers an earth-friendly alternative to trashing them.

Composting at Home

Use backyard compost bins for fruit/veggie scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, and yard waste.
Avoid adding meat, dairy, and oily foods to backyard compost — these attract pests.

Indoor Options

Try worm bins (vermicomposting) or bokashi fermentation systems for small apartments.

Community Programs & Drop-Offs

Jersey City: Offers residential compost drop-off sites and curbside programs.
Hoboken: Weekly food scrap collection for residents.
Princeton: Private subscription-based compost pickup available.

🧭 Educational Tip: Visit the Composting Council of New Jersey and EPA’s Composting Basics to learn how to start.

4. Commercial Food Waste Recycling: NJ’s 2020 Law

In April 2020, New Jersey passed a law requiring large food waste generators (businesses producing over 52 tons of food waste annually) to recycle it instead of sending it to a landfill.

Who’s Affected:

Supermarkets
Hospitals
Colleges
Large food processors
Correctional facilities

Acceptable Recycling Methods:

On-site composting
Off-site food waste recycling centers
Anaerobic digestion (producing energy from waste)
Animal feed programs

Key Policy Features:

Creation of a Food Waste Recycling Market Development Council
Requirement for state agencies to purchase compost/mulch made from recycled materials
Support for energy facilities powered by organic waste

The Path to a Zero-Waste New Jersey

New Jersey is taking important steps, but the real power lies with individuals, families, and local businesses. By reducing waste, donating surplus, and composting what’s left, we can:

Cut greenhouse gas emissions
Feed hungry neighbors
Build a more sustainable, circular economy

🌿 About ReGenesis Materials

As a Class A recycling facility based in Voorhees, NJ, ReGenesis Materials processes high-volume recyclables like cardboard, aluminum, paper, plastic, and glass. We partner with municipalities, haulers, and businesses to ensure material recovery is clean, compliant, and sustainable.

Interested in a recycling partnership or educational outreach? Contact us today to schedule a site tour or set up a program for your building, office park, or community.