Residents of Dartmouth have a new opportunity to reduce food waste from their kitchens — and save money in the process.

The Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District has launched a pilot program in partnership with Food Cycle Science to promote the use of FoodCyclers, small countertop appliances that convert food scraps into a dry, nutrient-rich soil amendment. The initiative aims to divert food waste from the Crapo Hill Landfill and give residents a simple, in-home method to reduce their household trash.

Under the pilot program, participants can purchase one of two models, the Eco 3 or the Eco 5, at a discounted rate. Prices start at $269 plus shipping, down from the retail cost of nearly $500. In addition, the first five residents from each community to sign up will receive an extra $100 discount provided by the Refuse District, bringing the total cost down to $169 for the smaller model.

The program officially opens to residents on April 28. Discount codes are available for early participants: DARTMOUTH100 for Dartmouth.

Participants will be asked to track their usage over a 12-week period. After the pilot ends, they can keep the device.

The FoodCycler can process a wide range of food waste, including vegetable scraps, meat, poultry, shellfish, small bones, coffee grounds, and eggshells, and reduce it by up to 90% in volume. The end-product can be mixed with soil as a plant fertilizer, added to a backyard compost bin, or dropped off at a recycling center or transfer station.

About 20% of what local residents currently throw away is food waste, according to the Refuse District. The material ends up at the Crapo Hill landfill, which has served New Bedford and Dartmouth since 1995. Officials estimate the site has saved the communities over $75 million in disposal costs since opening.

“It is important to do all that we can to reduce the amount of waste being produced and to reuse materials that still have value,” said Anthony Novelli, executive director of the Refuse District. “The FoodCycler makes it more convenient for residents to return the nutrients from food scraps back to the soil.”

For more information or to purchase a FoodCycler, visit www.fcs-events.com/foodcycler-gnbrrmd. Additional details are also available at gnbrrmdistrict.org, by calling (508) 979-1493, emailing Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org, or texting (774) 503-0254.