Trenton-area town hopes to begin organic waste collection

Lawrence Township is preparing to become the latest New Jersey community to collect organic waste from the curbside of residents.

The goal is to keep vegetable peels and other kitchen scraps out of landfills.

About 40 percent of household waste can be composted, according to the board president of the nonprofit Sustainable Lawrence.

“The cost of hauling that waste is growing every year,” said Tahirih Smith. “So we would like to be able to save money by diverting some of the waste out of the regular stream and save some hauling costs as well as transfer costs.”

The program is voluntary and will cost $17 a month for each family wanting the weekly curbside pickups in the town outside Trenton.

If at least 300 households sign up, it could begin in December.

A similar collection program in Princeton began three years ago, and activists are hoping the idea expands to more towns.