New Bedford Residents Can Trade Food Waste for Free Groceries

If there was ever an incentive to encourage proper recycling, it's free groceries.

Now through Dec. 22, 2023, New Bedford Recycling Center is giving away $50 Stop & Shop gift cards to lucky individuals participating in its food waste program. With the current price of groceries, it's a sweet deal.

The recycling center, 1103 Shawmut Ave., is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, noon to 5 p.m., as well as Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you have any unwanted food you can't eat or donate, the center is glad to take it off your hands.

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You can drop off expired unpackaged food, seafood shells, coffee grounds, vegetables, fruits, meat, chicken bones, eggshells and even dairy, but make sure it's wrapped in paper bags as the recycling center will not accept anything in plastic. Start collecting your unwanted food items in a proper compostable bag, bucket or pot, and bring them straight to the recycling center for your chance to win some free groceries.

Dropping off food waste doesn't guarantee you'll get the gift card but you'll be entered to win.

Items not eligible include canned food, cleaning chemicals, diapers, glass, pet waste, aluminum foil, plastic wraps, utensils, recycling, other trash or plastic bags.

What happens to the donated material? Once collected, the food waste is organized and taken to an anaerobic digester in Rhode Island. From there, the food can be generated into electricity, fuel and heat.

More information is available by contacting Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District at (508) 979-1493 or marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org.