Pilot program to reduce, divert waste stream flow

KENT — Historically, municipal waste went directly to local landfills, but since 1996 when landfill operations were closed, towns moved to trucking their waste, first to in-state trash-to-energy plants, and more recently trucking out of state to disposal sites. The latter is seen as costly, undesirable and unsustainable.

Through the efforts of the Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority (HRRA), the town of Kent has received a $55,000 grant to participate in a pilot Sustainable Materials Management (SSM) program that will divert a portion of the waste stream and convert it to useful products.

During a public information session on Friday, May 12, state and HTTA officials reviewed the need for the program and details of the implementation of the voluntary pilot program in Kent.

“Connecticut is facing a waste disposal crisis,” said State Department of Energy and Environment commissioner Katie Dykes, introducing the program. She noted that costs for municipal waste disposal have doubled over the past ten years.

Dykes estimated that 20% of a town’s waste is made up of residential food scraps that could be converted to energy, animal feed or compost, but the question is how to get scraps from the dining table to the collection or processing points.

Dykes reported that Kent is one of the four towns selected for the pilot waste diversion program, from among the 45 towns that applied. She praised state Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) for her efforts on behalf of Kent and the program.

“What you’re doing really matters,” Dykes said.

Describing the details of the pilot SSM program, Jennifer Heaton-Jones, HRRA Executive Director, explained that the trash to energy plants in Hartford and Wallingford are now closed. She estimated that 142,000 tons of municipal waste are collected within the HRRA region annually. Paper and food waste make up 45% of that tonnage.

Kent residents currently pay an annual fee of $150 ($130 for seniors) to allow them to discard as much as they want, Heaton-Jones said. The one-year voluntary pilot program would introduce a system of “pay as you throw,” where residents would only pay for the amount they discard. A further incentive would be a food scrap collection system to remove that element from the charge.

Under the new pilot program, Heaton-Jones said, the tonnage could be expected to drop by half, a significant saving to the town in waste trucking fees, and participating residents would gain free compost in the process.

Participants in the voluntary program would pay a lower annual fee for trash disposal. Each household would receive organic collection bags for food scraps, a one-and-a-half gallon bin for the kitchen and a six-gallon ECO-caddy container with a lock-lid and handle for transporting to the collection site.

Acceptable food waste for the program would  include flowers and vegetable matter, houseplants, bones and meats, fish and shellfish, breads, plate scrapings, and more.

A private hauler would pick up the waste from the collection site and transport it to New Milford Farms, a private enterprise that makes compost mulch.

At the end of the pilot program, participants will receive free garden compost.

“We are looking to reduce waste and help the town to save money,” said Heaton-Jones.

The recent informational session about the pilot program was the first in a series. Heaton-Jones’ next session will be offered in person at the Town Hall and by Zoom on Tuesday, June 13, beginning at 6 p.m. The topic will be “How to Reduce Waste and Recycle Correctly.”

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