The Senate Environment and Energy Committee convened on April 23, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding food waste management and sustainability practices in New Jersey. The meeting focused on the state's current waste management strategies, particularly the need for improved food waste recycling and reduction initiatives.

The session began with a presentation highlighting the alarming statistics regarding food waste. It was noted that approximately 40% of food produced globally is wasted, with New Jersey contributing to this issue as food waste constitutes about 22% of the state's waste stream. In 2020, New Jersey disposed of around 6 million tons of municipal solid waste, translating to approximately 1.3 million tons of food waste. This significant figure underscores the environmental, social, and economic implications of food waste, especially given the high costs associated with food production and its substantial carbon and water footprints.

The committee reviewed two key laws aimed at addressing food waste in New Jersey. The first, enacted in February 2017, mandates a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030. The second law, introduced in 2020, focuses on food waste recycling. Both laws emphasize the importance of reducing avoidable food waste—food that is still edible at the time of disposal—and managing unavoidable waste, such as food scraps from preparation.

A critical point raised during the meeting was the inadequacy of New Jersey's current infrastructure for food waste collection and recycling. Most food waste still ends up in landfills, where it generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The committee discussed the need for better recycling facilities and collection systems to ensure that food waste is processed efficiently, either through composting or anaerobic digestion, which can recover valuable nutrients and generate biogas.

The discussion also included examples from other regions, such as Quebec and Italy, where effective food waste collection and recycling systems are in place. These systems demonstrate the potential benefits of implementing similar strategies in New Jersey, which could significantly enhance the state's recycling rates and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

The committee concluded with a call for the state to consider incentivizing composting and biogas generation from source-separated food waste. Demonstration projects were suggested to explore the feasibility of integrating these technologies within existing landfill operations, aiming to transform waste management practices for the 21st century.

Overall, the meeting underscored the urgent need for New Jersey to enhance its food waste management strategies, with a focus on sustainability and resource recovery, to meet both environmental goals and public health needs. The committee expressed a commitment to exploring legislative ideas that could further support these initiatives.