It’s a target even advocates say will be hard to hit

By TOM JOHNSON, NJ Spotlight News

New Jersey wants to limit the amount of organic waste being dumped in landfills across the state, a goal touted as another step in its fight to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

The Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted 3–2 to approve a bill that aims to slash the amount of organic waste going into landfills. The goal is that by 2032 the state would cut 75% of the amount deposited in landfills, as measured against the amount of organic waste dumped in 2016. It’s a target even its advocates concede may be difficult to reach.

The legislation (S-421), sponsored by Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), is part of an ongoing initiative to better manage the disposal of organic waste, mostly involving food waste, which can break down and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Collecting landfill methane

So much methane is released by landfills that several counties now collect it and use it to produce energy. But much of it escapes into the atmosphere and ends up being a significant contributor to climate change. Organic waste is the largest component of municipal garbage.

“It (methane) is as much and maybe having more of an impact than carbon dioxide,’’ said Smith, the chairman of the committee. “We really need to get it out of landfills.’’

New Jersey’s Global Warming Response Act mandates the state reduce global warming emissions by 80% below 2006 levels by mid-century, an aggressive target that clean-energy advocates say will be difficult to achieve.

Gary Sondermeyer, representing the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, a supporter of the bill, questioned whether the state could attain that target. “We’re not sure we are ready to do 75%,’’ he said, blaming what he described as the “woefully inadequate composting infrastructure in the state.’’

Ray Cantor, an executive with the NJBIA (New Jersey Business & Industry Association), also questioned whether the bill’s ambitious targets are achievable. He also objected to choosing the state Department of Environmental Protection to write regulations aimed at attaining those targets, fearing the rules will be too onerous.

Sen. Edward Durr (R-Gloucester), who voted against the bill, agreed, saying that he is concerned the lawmakers were giving the DEP too much power.

But the bill won backing from several environmental groups. “Food waste is one of our largest sources of greenhouse emissions,’’ said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “Increasing composting and reducing food waste going to landfills needs to be a state priority.’’

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