Connecticut requires large commercial food waste generators producing 26+ tons annually to separate organics for recycling at certified composting facilities under CGS § 22a-226e. The mandate is statewide and not subject to local override.
Connecticut General Statutes § 22a-226e requires any commercial food wholesaler, distributor, industrial food manufacturer, supermarket, conference center, or institutional food service establishment generating 26 or more tons of source-separated organic material per year to recycle that material if located within twenty miles of an authorized composting facility. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection enforces the law and maintains a list of permitted facilities. Residential composting is voluntary, but municipalities cannot exempt covered generators. Penalties for non-compliance include civil enforcement under CGS § 22a-6.
Covered generators failing to separate and recycle organics face DEEP enforcement orders and civil penalties under CGS § 22a-6, which can reach thousands of dollars per day of violation.
See how Norwich's composting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.