West Hartford Food Waste Program A Wild Success, Officials Say

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The town's new food waste collection system is proving to be quite successful.

West Hartford officials said 560 residents have signed up for the free MetroKey app and are "enthusiastically participating in West Hartford’s new food scrap drop-off program."

The free app provides participants with access to one of four special food waste collection bins scattered throughout town.

In the very first month, 4,190 pounds of food waste have been diverted from the trash, according to the Town of West Hartford.

These food scraps were recycled into electricity and composted at Quantum Biopower out of Southington.

"Participation exceeded expectation and, initially, bins filled quickly," the town recently announced. "The collection schedule has now been bumped up to three times a week to meet this high demand."

Bins are now emptied on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.

The town is also applying for grants to purchase more food scrap bins to expand drop-off locations.

Local leaders said if someone opens a bin and it is filled to the top, do not jam material in it.

"Instead, please try another bin location," wrote town officials.

For example, the bin at the West Hartford Yard Waste and Recycling Center is the least used and is unlocked (no app required).

This bin is accessible during center hours only. The hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 to 11:45 a.m. No permit is required if only using the food scrap bin.

For more information on the town's food scraps drop-off program and how to participate, click on this link.

From April 17: 'Sustainably Dumping Food Scraps In West Hartford, What You Need To Know'