By Sarah Opdahl

Residents who are using the MetroSTOR Smart Bin, located at the New Fairfield Senior Center at 33 Route 37, are taking to social media and giving it praise for its ease of use. Composting is widely regarded for its environmental benefits, as it naturally reduces materials in landfills and greenhouse gas emissions, plus it creates a rich soil amendment. Simply separating the waste from your home garbage will also free up space in your personal cans.

How does it work? First, you will sign up for New Fairfield’s food scrap program at https://hrra.org/organics-food-scraps-new-fairfield/. Then, download the MetroKEY mobile app on your phone, available on Apple or Google, and create an account, allowing notifications. Finally, once your account has been activated, bring your food scraps (and only your food scraps) to the bin, which is available 24/7. At the bin, open the MetroKEY App and choose Unlock Bin, and then hit Submit to agree to only put food scraps in the bin. You have 25 seconds to open the bin; simply step on the pedal and deposit your scraps.

The bins, available in several area towns, are an exciting new initiative by the Housatonic Regional Recovery Authority (“HRRA”) and were made possible through a 36-month grant that offers the service to the Town at no cost. The bin is constructed of steel and is frequently cleaned. The HRRA is providing compostable bags “for your convenience” which are “meant to help eliminate the yuck factor.” However, they say, “You do not have to use the compostable bags, and we welcome individuals who wish to use just their containers to collect waste.”

The HRRA wants to remind residents that only food scraps are acceptable in the bin, including:

Fruits & Nuts (including pits)

Vegetables

Bread, Pasta & Grains

Sauces, Soup & Gravy

Coffee Grounds & Filters

Tea Bags

Egg Shells

Meats & Poultry (including bones)

Dairy Products

Fish & Shellfish

Plate Scrapings

Spoiled food

Fridge leftovers

Houseplants & Flower Bouquets

Flower & Vegetable Garden Clippings

Paper Towels & Napkins (free of cleaning products)

Please DO NOT include any plastic, packaging, take-out containers, compostable bags/utensils, etc.

There also continues to be a smaller tote for composting food scraps at the Town Drop-Off Center where residents can bring food waste and receive compost back.

If composting sounds like something you would like to try, give it a go. It is definitely a win for the environment, and likely a win for your home too.