KENT, Conn.—Kent has been rewarded for its strong performance in Connecticut’s Save as You Throw Food Scraps program, receiving two Smart Bins that allow residents to dispose of their food scraps even when the transfer station is closed.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the bins for public use was held Monday, Dec. 1, at the unit located in the village center near the Welcome Center. A second bin is sited outside the transfer station on Maple Street.
Jennifer Heaton-Jones, executive director of the Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority, of which Kent is a member town, applauded the town for its efforts over the past two-plus years, which diverted more than 70 tons of organic materials from the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream to “build a cleaner, greener future for Kent.”
Because the community pays by the ton for HRRA to process its MSW, separating organic material, which contains water and is heavy, saves the town money. It also reduces the amount of material that must be incinerated at burn plants, cutting emissions.
In Connecticut, food scraps make up about one of every five pounds of garbage, according to a 2015 study published by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
“By diverting food scraps from the trash, we reduce waste and lower emissions and turn the leftovers into something valuable, healthy soil,” said newly-elected First Selectman Eric Epstein. “This bin is more than a container; it is a commitment to sustainability and shows that everyday actions add up.”
He urged residents to notice the tally at the transfer station that shows the mounting number of thousands of pounds of scraps diverted for composting.
He extended his thanks to Department of Public Works foreman Rick Osborne and transfer station staff Rob Hayes who, “even in the heat of July, when the smell is overwhelming, are constantly crushing the contents of the bins to speed up the composting process,” as well as to “the people of Kent who welcomed this program and are separating their food scraps.”
“It is such a benefit for the environment,” he continued, “but the true reward is in the spring when the pile of compost is delivered back to the transfer station and the transformation of your efforts can be seen in real time when it goes back into your gardens.”
The new bins are operated by using a MetroKEY app installed on telephones and are only accessible by those who have transfer site permits [https://hrra.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-2026_transfer_station.pdf] or who have an organics-only permit [https://hrra.org/food-scraps-dropoff-locations/]. Once enrolled in the program, participants can create an account that gives access to the bins.
When participants arrive at one of the bins, they use the MetroKEY app to select the appropriate bin and unlock it. If they encounter a problem, there is a help number to call. They must agree to put only acceptable items in the bin and then step on a pedal to open the lid (there may be a short delay while it unlatches).
Technology will track who is putting materials into the bins to determine who is depositing what. The material dropped off may be examined for contamination by the transfer station attendant. If the attendant believes a person is repeatedly violating the rules of acceptable material, the individual risks being banned from the program.
Residents can dispose of organic scraps collected in their own containers, or they can use compostable bags available for purchase from the town. The smart bins, which are bolted to 400-pound blocks, cannot be overturned and are sealed to contain any odors and prevent predation by bears.
The material will be collected regularly and transported to the transfer station. It will be outsourced for composting, and each spring residents will be allowed to retrieve compost for use on their properties.
Only organic matter can be deposited and there must not be any plastic, stickers, rubber bands, twist ties or the like (with the exceptions of the compostable bags, which are designed to decompose). Contaminated material cannot be processed into compost. It will be disposed of as MSW and sent to a waste-to-energy plant, which adds cost to the program.
Acceptable items include houseplants and cut flowers, flower and vegetable garden clippings, fruits and nuts (including pits), vegetables, breads, pastas and grains, sauces, soups and gravy, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, eggshells, meats (including bones), dairy products, fish and shellfish, plate scrapings, spoiled food and fridge leftovers.
The transfer station is open Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A permit costs $40 for a year and an organics-only permit is $10. Permits are available at Kent Town Hall and the transfer station.
