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(Last Updated 07/28/2022)
Connecticut Food Waste Policy
Connecticut Date Labeling Regulations
Rating: Moderate Policy
Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 22-197b; Conn. Agencies Regs. §22-133-131; Conn. Agencies Regs. § 22-133-123
Connecticut requires that dairy products not manufactured, packaged and heat treated in a manner that makes the product safe to store at room temperature are marked with a "last sale date." However, neither sale nor donation is restricted for any food item past date.
Overview
In order to push businesses and consumers to reduce food waste, a growing number of states and localities are enacting organic waste bans or waste recycling laws to restrict the amount of food waste an entity can send to the landfill. However, each state differs regarding the specifics of its waste ban or recycling law. For example, they vary with regard to the types of entities covered under the law, how much organic waste an entity must produce in order to be covered, and whether exceptions exist for entities located far from a facility that accepts food scraps. These differences have a significant impact on the reach of these laws, and therefore on the amount of food waste diverted.
Connecticut Liability Protection Regulations
Rating: Moderate Policy
Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-557L
Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-557L protects eligible donors and nonprofit distributors that donate or distribute apparently wholesome food for free or at a nominal cost to the end recipient. Eligible donors include any person, such as farmers, processors, distributors, food wholesalers or retailers and food recovery organizations; and eligible distributors include political subdivisions of the state, senior centers, and nonprofit organizations. Protections do not apply to direct donations.
Overview
The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act provides a strong federal baseline of protection for food donors. It covers individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, the officers of businesses and nonprofit organizations, and gleaners. A donor must donate in good faith to a nonprofit organization that distributes the donated food to needy populations, and the food must meet all quality and labeling standards imposed by federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Connecticut TAX INCENTIVES
Rating: No Policy
Connecticut does not offer additional tax incentives beyond federal incentives.
Overview
The federal government provides tax deductions to incentivize businesses to donate food. As of December 2015, all businesses—including C-corporations, S-corporations, limited liability corporations (LLCs), partnerships and sole proprietorships—are eligible for an enhanced tax deduction that exceeds the property’s basis for donated food if they meet certain requirements. If they do not meet the requirements, they can still claim a general tax deduction in the amount of the property’s basis.
Connecticut Animal Feed Regulations
Rating: Moderate Policy
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 22-320a–g
All materials containing meat must be heat treated for 30 minutes at 212 degrees Fahrenheit or treated by some other method approved by the state prior to feeding to swine. Annual animal-derived treated waste feeding permits must be obtained, but exceptions exist for individuals feeding household waste to swine. There are no restrictions on feeding waste exclusively vegetable in nature.
Overview
For centuries, using food scraps as animal feed was common worldwide. The practice declined rapidly in the 1980s, when several disease outbreaks were linked to unsafe animal feed. In an attempt to prevent the spread of such diseases, federal laws and regulations were enacted to restrict what is often pejoratively referred to as “garbage feeding” to animals. However, using food scraps as animal feed in a safe, resource-efficient way can be environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, providing multiple benefits for both farmers and food waste generators, such as retailers, restaurants, and institutional cafeterias. Under federal law, food scraps can generally be fed to animals, so long as food scraps with animal derived by-products are heat-treated by a licensed facility before being fed to swine; and food scraps containing animal-derived by-products are not fed to ruminants. The federal regulations function as a floor, and most state regulations go beyond them.
Connecticut Organic Waste Recycling Laws
Rating: Weak Policy
Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 22a-226e
Any commercial food wholesaler or distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket, resort or conference center that produce at least 26 tons/year must source separate organic waste and ensure proper recycling at an authorized composting facility. Exceptions apply if the producer is located more than 20 miles away from an authorized composting facility.
Overview
In order to push businesses and consumers to reduce food waste, a growing number of states and localities are enacting organic waste bans or waste recycling laws to restrict the amount of food waste an entity can send to the landfill. However, each state differs regarding the specifics of its waste ban or recycling law. For example, they vary with regard to the types of entities covered under the law, how much organic waste an entity must produce in order to be covered, and whether exceptions exist for entities located far from a facility that accepts food scraps. These differences have a significant impact on the reach of these laws, and therefore on the amount of food waste diverted.