Dive Brief:

• Madison, WI officials announced the city will be ending its citywide food waste collection program this September. 
• Plans to renew the pilot program will be put on hold for at least one year -- and may not get underway until as many as five years from now. 
• Officials are pulling the plug on the program due to the substantial costs associated with the construction of a biodigester. The $20 million needed to get the digester operating would place other city projects on hold. 

Dive Insight:

Madison's organics pilot program began in June 2011, with 500 households and six businesses participating in the initial run. Food waste is facing roadblocks because the infrastructure it takes to process the organics is not yet in place. 

The city of Madison seems to be facing many issues surrounding its recycling programs. In April 2014, Madison’s mattress and box spring recycling program was suspended  without advance notice. The contracted recycler cited economic challenges and abruptly shuttered its doors. The city is looking for a replacement firm to operate the program; until then, mattresses will be deposited at the local landfill.