West Hartford is partnering with waste-to-energy project developer Quantum BioPower, Covanta and a local hauler to see how the 15-week program involving 130 residents plays out.

The program is being managed by the city, waste-to-energy company Quantum Biopower, Covanta and Paines Inc.

About 130 West Hartford homeowners are taking part in a 15-week experiment to see if average families can help change the depressing statistic that more than 20 percent of all American trash is food waste that is thrown out and burned or buried.