Top Composting & Food Waste in Evesham, New Jersey Ranked

For restaurant owners and food service operators in Evesham, managing organic waste is a critical operational and environmental responsibility. Unlike some municipalities, Evesham Township does not offer a municipal food waste collection service for commercial entities, placing the onus on businesses to find private solutions. Navigating New Jersey's specific regulations for organic waste recycling is essential, as the state mandates that large generators must divert food scraps from landfills. Implementing a structured food waste diversion program not only helps comply with state law but can also reduce waste disposal costs, minimize odors, and enhance a business's sustainability profile. This guide outlines the key steps, local service providers, and best practices for establishing an effective composting and food waste recycling system for your Evesham establishment.

Understanding New Jersey's Food Waste Recycling Mandate

A cornerstone of organic waste management in Evesham is New Jersey's food waste recycling rules. The mandate specifically targets large generators: any commercial food waste generator that produces an average of 52 tons or more per year of food waste and is located within 25 road miles of an authorized food waste recycling facility must source separate and recycle their organic waste ^{1 2}. This includes restaurants, supermarkets, food processors, and other institutions.

Key Points of the Regulation:

• Generator Eligibility: The 52-ton threshold is a critical number. Businesses should conduct a waste audit to estimate their annual output.
• Proximity Requirement: The rule only applies if an authorized composting or anaerobic digestion facility is within a 25-mile radius. Evesham businesses are generally subject to this requirement given the network of facilities in the region ¹.
• Source Separation: Mandated businesses must keep food waste separate from other trash and recyclables at the point of generation. This means having dedicated collection containers in kitchens and prep areas.

Failure to comply can result in violations. The primary goal of the regulation is to reduce landfill methane emissions and recover valuable resources from organic material ². Even if your restaurant does not meet the 52-ton threshold, voluntarily participating in food waste recycling offers significant benefits, including potential savings on trash hauling fees and a stronger green brand image.

Options for Food Waste Collection in Evesham

Since there is no municipal pickup for commercial food waste, Evesham restaurants must contract with private waste haulers who specialize in organic material. These providers offer tailored services designed for the volume and schedule of a food service business.

Private Hauler Services: Private companies provide a complete service package, which typically includes:

• Supply of Collection Containers: Providers supply appropriate bins, buckets, or carts for indoor use, often with compatible liners (which must be certified compostable) ^{3 4}.
• Scheduled Pickups: Pickup frequency is customized based on your waste volume-common schedules are daily, several times a week, or weekly-to prevent odor and pest issues.
• Transport and Processing: The hauler transports the collected food waste to a permitted composting or anaerobic digestion facility.

Working with a knowledgeable hauler ensures your program is designed for efficiency and compliance from the start.

Bennett Compost

5650 Rising Sun Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19120

Bennett Compost provides food waste and composting services for restaurants and residents in Philadelphia, PA. The company offers weekly pickups of food scraps and other compostable materials, helping to reduce landfill waste by diverting organic material into nutrient-rich compost. Bennett Compost serves a variety of clients including coffee shops, breweries, florists, offices, and residential buildings, tailoring solutions to different compostable volumes. Founded in 2009 by Tim Bennett and now co-owned with Jennifer Mastalerz, the company diverts over 150 tons of waste each month and supports more than 6,000 households and businesses. Their service includes delivering clean compost bins and premium compost products during pickups.

4.9

50 Reviews

Trenton Renewables

1600 Lamberton Rd, Trenton, NJ 08611

Trenton Renewables is a food waste recycling and renewable energy company based in Trenton, NJ. They serve restaurants and other organizations by managing food waste through anaerobic digestion, converting it into renewable energy, premium compost, and recaptured packaging. The company operates as a Class I Renewable Energy Facility and is qualified under New Jersey's Food Waste Law. Their process helps reduce landfill waste and CO2 emissions while supporting environmental sustainability.

3.7

3 Reviews

Giordanos Recycling

110 N Mill Rd, Vineland, NJ 08360

Giordanos Recycling is based in Vineland, NJ, providing food waste and composting services primarily for restaurants. They serve multiple counties in New Jersey including Cumberland, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Salem, Atlantic, and Cape May, as well as areas in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Their services include roll off dumpster rentals, front load and rear loader container services, and food waste recycling programs designed for beneficial use of clean food byproducts. Giordanos also offers equipment rentals and installation for compactors and balers, and manages recycling brokerage and national accounts.

3.7

81 Reviews

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Local and Regional Service Providers

Several providers service the South Jersey region, offering commercial food waste pickup. It's advisable to contact multiple companies for quotes and service details.

• Java's Compost: This provider offers commercial compost pickup services specifically for businesses like restaurants, cafes, and offices ⁴. They work with clients to determine the right container sizes (from small buckets to larger bins) and pickup schedules to fit operational needs. Their service is designed to be a straightforward solution for businesses looking to divert organic waste.
• RTS (Recycle Track Systems): RTS offers customizable commercial waste and recycling services, including organics collection ³. They emphasize technology-driven solutions and can provide sustainability planning, staff training, and detailed reporting to help businesses meet New Jersey's regulations and track their environmental impact.

When evaluating providers, ask about their permitted processing facilities, contamination policies, customer support, and any value-added services like sustainability reporting.

Setting Up Your On-Site Collection System

A successful program hinges on an effective and user-friendly setup within your restaurant. Contamination (non-compostable items mixed in) is the biggest challenge for processors, so clear systems are vital.

Container Strategy:

1. Kitchen/Prep Area Countertop Bins: Use small, lidded buckets with compostable liners for food scraps during prep (e.g., vegetable peels, eggshells, coffee grounds).
2. Station Collection Points: Place larger, clearly labeled bins in strategic locations like the dishwashing station for plate scrapings and the cooking line for trimmings.
3. Outdoor Storage: Your hauler will provide a larger cart or dumpster for outdoor storage between pickups. Ensure it has a secure lid.

Critical Contamination Guidelines: To maintain a clean stream, educate all staff that the following items DO NOT go in the food waste bin:

• Plastic bags (unless they are the compostable liners provided by your hauler)
• Conventional plastic, glass, or metal
• Styrofoam or other packaging materials
• Liquids, fats, and oils (these require separate handling, like grease trap services)
• Rubber gloves, paper towels (unless specified by your hauler), or other non-food items ^{1 3}

Clear signage with pictures, placed directly on or above bins, is one of the most effective tools for reducing contamination.

The Business Case for Food Waste Diversion

Beyond regulatory compliance, investing in organics recycling offers tangible benefits for your restaurant's bottom line and brand.

• Potential Cost Savings: While there is a fee for organic waste pickup, it can be offset by reducing the volume-and therefore the cost-of your general trash disposal. Landfill tipping fees are often higher than composting facility fees.
• Operational Improvements: Properly managed organic waste streams are contained and collected more frequently, leading to reduced odors and fewer pest attractants in dumpster areas.
• Sustainability Marketing: Customers increasingly value environmentally responsible businesses. Promoting your food waste recycling efforts can enhance your brand reputation and attract a conscientious clientele.
• Resource Recovery: The compost created from your food scraps is used to enrich soil, closing the loop and contributing to local agriculture.

Steps to Start a Food Waste Recycling Program

1. Conduct a Waste Audit: Track your food waste for a week to estimate your annual volume. This will determine if you are a mandatory generator under NJ law and help size your service needs ¹.
2. Research and Contact Providers: Reach out to local service providers like Java's Compost, RTS, or other commercial haulers operating in Burlington County ^{3 4}. Request quotes, ask about their processes, and inquire about client references.
3. Design Your Internal System: Based on the hauler's container options, plan where bins will be placed in your kitchen and dining areas. Order compostable liners and create simple signage.
4. Train Your Staff: Hold a brief training session for all employees. Explain the "why" behind the program, show them exactly what goes in the new bins, and emphasize the importance of avoiding contamination.
5. Launch and Monitor: Start the program, collect feedback from staff, and monitor the bins for contamination. Adjust placements or retrain as needed. A successful launch often starts with a focused rollout in the kitchen before expanding to front-of-house scrap collection.
6. Review NJDEP Resources: For official rules and a list of authorized recycling facilities, visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Food Waste Recycling website ¹.

Handling Related Waste Streams: Grease and Cooking Oil

A comprehensive waste management plan also addresses used cooking oil (UCO) and grease trap maintenance. These are separate, specialized waste streams but are integral to restaurant operations.

• Used Cooking Oil Collection: Many providers that collect food waste also offer or can recommend services for UCO collection. This oil is recycled into biodiesel or other products. Proper storage in designated containers prevents kitchen spills and safety hazards.
• Grease Trap Cleaning: Regular grease trap or interceptor pumping is legally required to prevent sewer blockages. This service is typically separate from solid food waste pickup but is a critical component of overall facility management.

Coordinating schedules between your food waste hauler, grease trap service, and trash/recycling collector can streamline operations and potentially lead to service bundling discounts.

Frequently asked questions

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