Understanding existing legislation in CT.
In 2017, the state issued the "Connecticut Commercial Organics Recycling Law" which enacted food producers like grocery stores and restaurants or food manufacturers who throw away more than 1 ton of food a week must throw away any excess food into organic food compost site.
This was one of the biggest mandates that the state passed up to date. This made many companies have to reevaluate where there waste is going and how they can combat that waste. However, this is not enough to diminish the issue of food waste.
The state of Connecticut needs to do more if they want to reduce the environmental impacts of food waste. Many individuals in the area have started using the app "TooGoodToGo" which connects users and individuals to food that is about to be thrown away by restaurants. This is a good way to get inexpensive food that would have been put in the dumpster.
Despite all of these business initiatives, there has to be more governmental actions. In Massachusetts, there is a bill that was passed that gives a tax incentive to food providers who donate their uneaten food. Legislation like this should be the first step within the state of Connecticut and people need to pressure their lawmakers to pass more regulations that combat this issue.
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