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February 1, 2024: The Preston Board of Selectmen has unanimously approved a new, free food scrap recycling pilot program to begin February 2, 2024. Blue Earth Compost, based in Hartford, will be placing food scrap collection bins at the Preston Transfer Station, located at 108 Ross Road. The program is free to all town residents with a Transfer Station sticker.

See the full press release and article in The Day, below:

SCRRRA funds and administers a household hazardous waste collection program for residents of our 12 member municipalities. Held April through November, these nine annual collections change location each month, providing free, convenient HHW disposal for homeowners. Confidential paper shredding is also provided (non-commercial entities only). All events run from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. See below for this year’s schedule.

To learn more about these events, including participation safety protocol and a list of accepted materials, please visit the Household Hazardous Waste page and see our educational video below.

January 31, 2024: SCRRRA continues to actively work towards building eastern Connecticut’s first commercial-scale food scrap compost facility. On January 25, 2024, we received twofold good news: our site plans were unanimously approved by the Town of Preston Planning and Zoning Commission, and the USDA announced that we have been selected to receive funding through the Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) program! See below for the latest updates in the news:

Press Release: Single Stream Curbside Recycling Contamination Reduction Project to Begin this Month

January 1, 2024: Ledyard and East Lyme residents will soon have artificial intelligence (AI) helping them recycle. The Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recycling Authority (SCRRRA) is excited to announce the start of a pilot program using clean-tech company Prairie Robotics’ AI technology to analyze current recycling habits and provide educational outreach to residents.

The system uses cameras and computers to analyze materials in curbside recycling bins as they are loaded into the truck.  When a contaminant is detected – something that should not be in the recycle bin, such as yard waste, food waste, styrofoam, or plastic bags – a photo is taken of the item and a personalized postcard is sent to the address associated with the recycle bin.  The postcard provides the image of the contaminant (all other items blurred for privacy) alongside educational messaging about what can and cannot go in our curbside recycle bins.

All curbside recycling in the SCRRRA region (East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Ledyard, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Sprague, Stonington and Waterford) is processed at the Casella facility in Willimantic.  Residents often get confused about what can and can’t be put in their recycling bin, causing contamination and reduced quality of the recycled materials.  Throughout CT and around the country, contamination of the recycling stream is a big problem, as it increases the costs of the recycling collection for communities and spoils good recyclables. SCRRRA hopes that by providing personalized education contamination will be decreased, ultimately cleaning up our single stream curbside recycling program and resulting in financial savings for our towns.

Residents are encouraged to download the free SCRRRA app to learn “What Goes Where”.  For more information, visit www.scrrra.org and www.prairierobotics.com

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See the report on NBC CT: East Lyme testing AI to track residents’ recycling – NBC Connecticut

See the article in The Day: Garbage trucks with AI to keep an eye on recycling in East Lyme and Ledyard (theday.com)

The holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and gratitude, but they can also be a time of excess, waste, and environmental impact. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generate about 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than any other time of the year1. That’s an extra 1,000 pounds of waste per household!

But don’t worry, you don’t have to sacrifice the festive spirit to be eco-friendly. There are many simple ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle during the holidays, and make a positive difference for the planet. Here are some tips to help you have a green and merry holiday season:

1. Choose wrapping paper wisely

Wrapping paper is one of the biggest sources of holiday waste, as most of it is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. To avoid this, look for wrapping paper made with recycled materials and that can also be recycled. Avoid anything shiny, glittery, or flocked, as these are usually coated with plastic or metal and cannot be recycled2. You can also reuse wrapping paper from previous years, or use alternatives like newspaper, magazines, or brown paper bags. For a creative touch, you can decorate your gifts with natural items like pine cones, sprigs, or dried flowers.

2. Recycle your cardboard boxes

Online shopping is convenient, but it generates a lot of cardboard waste. If you order gifts online, make sure to recycle the cardboard boxes and packing materials. You can also reuse them for shipping your own gifts, or donate them to local organizations that need them. Before recycling, flatten the boxes and remove any tape, labels, or plastic inserts3.

3. Shop sustainably and locally

Another way to reduce waste and support the environment is to shop sustainably and locally. Choose gifts that are made with eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, or recycled plastic. Look for products that have minimal or no packaging, or that use biodegradable or compostable packaging. You can also shop at local businesses, farmers’ markets, or craft fairs, where you can find unique and handmade gifts that support your community and reduce your carbon footprint.

4. Give experiences instead of things

One of the best ways to avoid waste and clutter is to give experiences instead of things. Experiences can create lasting memories and happiness, and they don’t require any wrapping or shipping. You can give gift cards, tickets, memberships, subscriptions, or vouchers for activities that your loved ones enjoy, such as movies, concerts, museums, spas, restaurants, or classes. You can also give donations to charities or causes that they care about, or volunteer your time and skills to help them with something they need.

5. Use less plastic

If you host or attend a holiday party, you may be tempted to use disposable plates and cutlery for convenience. However, these items are usually made of plastic or styrofoam, and are not recyclable. Instead, opt for reusable or compostable plates and cutlery, which are better for the environment and for your health.

6. Recycle your holiday lights and decorations correctly

Holiday lights and decorations can add a festive touch to your home, but they can also be a source of waste. Many holiday lights and decorations contain wires, bulbs, batteries, and plastic, which are not recyclable and can harm wildlife and the environment. Because they are tanglers, strings of lights cannot be recycled in your curbside bin. Instead, they must be brought to your local transfer station as electronic waste, which is free for residents. Another way to be more environmentally friendly is to buy LED lights, which are more energy-efficient and durable than incandescent lights, or use solar-powered lights. You can also make your own decorations from natural or recycled materials, such as pine cones, branches, paper, or fabric4.

7. Compost your food scraps and leftovers

Food is a big part of the holiday season, but it can also be a big source of waste. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Americans throw away about 40% of the food they buy, which amounts to about $165 billion worth of food each year5. This not only wastes money and resources, but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. To prevent this, you can compost your food scraps and leftovers, which can turn into nutrient-rich soil for your garden or plants. You can also donate your excess food to local food banks or shelters, or share it with your friends or neighbors.

8. Make a New Year’s resolution to be more eco-friendly

The holiday season is a great time to reflect on your impact on the environment and make a commitment to be more eco-friendly in the new year. You can set realistic and specific goals, such as reducing your water or energy consumption, buying less or buying secondhand, switching to renewable energy sources, or joining a local environmental group. You can also track your progress and celebrate your achievements, and encourage your family and friends to join you in your green journey.

By following these tips, you can have a more eco-friendly holiday season and help protect the planet for generations to come. Happy holidays!

Sources:

1. Cut down on holiday waste with these recycling tips – NBC News

2. The Ultimate Guide to Recycling During the Holidays in 2023

3. Our Top 10 Holiday Recycling Tips – The Recycling Partnership

4. 8 tips to green your holiday – Earth Day

5. Recycle Right for the Holidays: A Guide for Eco-Friendly Practices and …

Navigating the Connecticut Waste Crisis

On December 6, 2023, an important Regional Town Meeting was hosted by the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) at Camp Nett in Niantic. Area municipal chief elected officials, directors of finance, key policymakers, state legislators and other dignitaries were invited to hear a presentation regarding the current solid waste crisis in the state of Connecticut and what SCRRRA is doing in response.  

To see the presentation, click here or see below:

To see the Q&A session, click here or see below:

To download the booklet, click here or see below:

October 11, 2023: Apparel Impact, a New England textile recycling company founded in 2014, is delighted to announce a groundbreaking three-year agreement with the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority (SCRRRA). This agreement solidifies Apparel Impact as the exclusive textile recycling vendor endorsed by SCRRRA for the 12 member municipalities within the SCRRRA region, marking a significant milestone in the textile recycling industry and reinforcing Apparel Impact’s commitment to environmental sustainability and community support. Once fully rolled out, this agreement will divert an estimated 1,500 TONS of textiles from landfills annually.

To see the full press release, click here.

Download the free SCRRRA app to learn “What Goes Where”!

April 1, 2023 – Stonington

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Stonington High School (176 S. Broad Street)

May 6, 2023 – East Lyme

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at East Lyme High School (30 Chesterfield Rd.)

June 3, 2023 – Colchester

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Colchester Town Hall (127 Norwich Ave.)

June 17, 2023 – Norwich

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Norwich Public Works (50 Clinton Ave.)

July 8, 2023 – Groton

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Fitch High School (101 Groton Long Point Rd.)

August 5, 2023 – Montville

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Tyl Middle School (166 Chesterfield Rd.)

September 16, 2023 – North Stonington

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Wheeler High School (297 Norwich-Westerly Rd.)

October 7, 2023 – Griswold

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Griswold Highway Garage (1148 Voluntown Rd. – RT 138)

November 4, 2023 – Ledyard

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Ledyard High School (24 Gallup Hill Rd.)

2023 HHW Schedule
2023 HHW Acceptable Items

In the spring of 2021, SCRRRA launched a large-scale food waste composting demonstration at Stonington’s transfer station. The project evaluated the receipt and composting of food scraps using covered aerated static pile (ASP) technology. SCRRRA composted two batches of feedstock material, with differing mix ratios of food scraps to wood chips.

Video Clip 1: Unloading eight tons of food scraps onto a prepared bed of wood mulch.

Video Clip 2: Covering and mixing the food scraps (“greens”) with mulch (“browns”) – a carbon source.

Video Clip 3: The mixture of greens and browns being laid over the aeration pipe.

Video Clip 4: Equipment associated with composting including a generator, fuel tank, and the aeration blower for the pipe underneath the compost mixture.

Video Clip 5: The finished pile.

Video Clip 6 & Video Clip 7: Remixing (agitating) the compost mix several weeks later accelerates the process and ensures mixture uniformity. Visible steam is indicative of active biological processes – this means it’s working!

Video Clip 8: Hydrating the pile: During the turning of the pile, we add water to bring moisture levels up to an optimal level.  

Wood grinder at the compost demonstration.
Wood grinder at the compost demonstration.
Compost pile monitoring screen.
Compost pile monitoring screen.
US Composting Council Proud Member
Executive Director Dave Aldridge with Compost Pile
Executive Director Dave Aldridge with Compost Pile

August 6, 2022 – Montville

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Tyl Middle School – 166 Chesterfield Road (Oakdale)

September 17, 2022 – North Stonington

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Wheeler High School – 297 Norwich-Westerly Road

October 8, 2022 – Griswold

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Griswold Highway Garage – 1148 Voluntown Road (Route 138)

November 5, 2022 – Ledyard

9:00 AM -1:00 PM at Ledyard High School – 24 Gallup Hill Road