Advocacy in Action | April 24, 2025

CGS: 22A-226E: Commercial Organics Recycling Law

The Commercial Organics Recycling Law (CGS 22a-226e) now applies to any commercial food waste generator that generates twenty-six tons or more per year of source-separated organic materials (e.g. food scraps), regardless of proximity to an authorized source-separated organic processing facility.

The law applies to Connecticut businesses and institutions, including establishments providing hospitality, such as restaurants, banquet halls, food halls, and food courts at malls.

Effective March 1, 2025, entities subject to the law will also be required to submit a report to CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) summarizing their organics diversion activity.

More Information & FAQs

CET Information

 CT Composting Facilities

CRA Night at the Capitol

Night at the Capitol
🗓️ Monday, June 2, 2025
🕓 4PM - 6PM
📍 Legislative Office Building Atrium, Hartford
👉 More details to come!

Night at the Capitol is back for 2025! The evening will bring together restaurateurs, vendors, and legislators, offering a platform to demonstrate the strength of our collective voice and advocacy efforts; an impactful showcase of industry talent and unity during the final week of the 2025 Legislative Session.

There are two ways you can participate:  

• Register your restaurant to table at the event: Member restaurants & foodservice businesses are invited to showcase  tasting tables of their signature dishes and drinks. Please complete the interest form below.

• Attend the event: Take advantage of this great networking opportunity to meet with legislators, fellow business owners and the CRA team. Registration opening soon!

Register Interest Here

Urge Congress to Advance Pro-Growth Tax Policy

Tax policy plays a major role in supporting restaurants and our employees. Restaurant operators need tax laws that support job growth, investment, and economic stability. Congress can do this by permanently extending tax laws that will strengthen restaurant vitality and employment.

The National Restaurant Association is asking members to submit letters to state officials. You can do so in just one click, here.

Submit Here

Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes

This week, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced the FDA's plan to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation’s food supply.

More Information Here

The Connecticut Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association are committed to collaborating with the Administration and will continue to advocate for science-based decisions that protect public health, emphasizing realistic timelines, clear guidance, and business feasibility.

Bill Tracker

The Connecticut Restaurant Association actively monitors a wide range of legislation throughout each legislative session. It's important to note that the introduction of a bill does not guarantee its passage.

The CRA Bill Tracker gives you a sense of the breadth and variety of legislation we track throughout session, as well as an overview on the status of each bill. 

Bill Tracker