E-newsletter highlighting grant deadlines, upcoming workshops and available resources for municipal recycling and solid waste leaders.
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Grants and Other Funding Opportunities | |
EPA Celebrates Year One Accomplishments Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
$5.5 billion awarded through the law so far to modernize the nation’s infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, combat the climate crisis, and advance environmental justice
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-celebrates-year-one-accomplishments-under-bipartisan-infrastructure-law
Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Celebrate America Recycles Day, Mark One Year Since Release of National Recycling Strategy
EPA launching new tools to encourage recycling, highlighting historic $375 million investment in recycling initiatives from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-and-epa-celebrate-america-recycles-day-mark-one-year
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EPA Grant announcements
Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program
Accepting applications till 1/16/2023
The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $30,000,000. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 25 assistance agreements under this funding opportunity, with at least one award per EPA Region. The minimum individual award floor is $250,000, and the maximum individual award ceiling is $2,000,000 for the grant period. This program is in alignment with the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative.
Find out more: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/recycling-education-and-outreach-grant-program
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program
The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program is a new grant program authorized by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $275 million for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants to support Building a Better America. This is allocated as $55 million per year from Fiscal Years 2022 to 2026 to remain available until expended. EPA was provided an additional $2.5 million in Fiscal Year 2022 funding to implement the program. The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program provides grants to implement a strategy to improve post-consumer materials management and infrastructure; support improvements to local post-consumer materials management and recycling programs; and assist local waste management authorities in making improvements to local waste management systems.
· Applications due 1/16/2023
· Upcoming webinars: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/grants-political-subdivisions#webinars
· Request for Applications (RfA): https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-11/EPA-I-OLEM-ORCR-23-03.pdf
- EPA is accepting notices of intent to participate until December 15, 2022
- Upcoming webinars: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/state-and-territory-grants#webinars
Find out more about both programs: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/solid-waste-infrastructure-recycling-grant-program
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The ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund, applications open 11/14/2022
The ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund distributes recoverable and non-recoverable grants to for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations across the food waste solution spectrum – from prevention to rescue to recycling – and will consider initiatives including, but not limited to, research, general operations, capacity-building, pilots, and convenings.
Find out more: https://refed.org/our-work/initiatives/catalytic-grant-fund
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US Department of Agriculture’s Solid Waste Management Grant Program, submissions due 12/31/2022
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Solid Waste Management (SWM) Grant Program has been established to assist communities through free technical assistance and/or training provided by the grant recipients. Public bodies, nonprofits, Federally recognized tribes, and academic institutions within rural areas and towns with a population of 10,000 or less are eligible to receive SWM grant funds to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources in rural areas and improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas. Funds may be used to evaluate current landfill conditions to determine threats to water resources, enhance operator skills in the operation and maintenance of active landfills, and help communities reduce the solid waste stream. The deadline for submissions is December 31.
Find out more: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/solid-waste-management-grants
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Gypsum Wallboard Stakeholder Survey:
NEWMOA would like to learn about:
- your experience with managing gypsum wallboard waste;
- your perspectives on the barriers to increasing gypsum wallboard reuse/recycling; and/or
- your recommendations for what is needed in order to increase reuse/recycling or gypsum wallboard.
The survey should take 10 minutes (or less) to complete. All answers will be kept confidential.
Please complete the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GypsumWallboardSurvey
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Want CET to speak to your local Chamber of Commerce about Business Recycling?
CET is under contract with CT DEEP to provide Business Recycling Assistance are would benefit with an introduction to your local Chamber or Business Association.
Contact CET: 888-410-3827 or ReduceWasteCT@cetonline.org
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2023 CT SWAC Meeting Schedule
CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) membership is open to all and all meetings will be held in an open stakeholder forum. Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of certain months from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Following are the dates and registration links for SWAC meetings scheduled for 2023.
January 24, 2023
Registration - https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpce2qrzIrH9Q229mLwdTcUxJqHmAPf4rB
March 28, 2023
Registration - https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvdeGgrTwjG92tjJb1Zj89ET2LYu3SBUZX
June 27, 2023
Registration - https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAof-uvrT0qGtCKDXppsv30hGwbpDiIpJcA
October 24, 2023
Registration - https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsfumhrjksHtIg82Xfxo742fEgJ_6BbC_U
Materials from the SWAC meeting are usually posted the SWAC webpage within a day or two after the meeting.
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Upcoming
Solid Waste Facility Operator Training
Operator Certification (ct.gov)
December 12, 2022
1:00pm
Register Here
Everyone MUST register individually for certification credit. Each registrant will receive a confirmation email with a unique link to join the training. This link should not be shared with others.
Operators of Connecticut landfills, transfer stations, volume reduction facilities, resources recovery facilities, recycling facilities (MRFs/IPCs) and general permitted facilities must take a virtual training classes and take an examination to obtain DEEP certification.
A certification application form must be completed and an operator must pre-register for the next available virtual class.
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EPA Launches New National Office Dedicated to Environmental Justice and Civil Rights
EPA’s new Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Office elevates these critical issues to the highest levels of our agency and solidifies our shared commitment to delivering justice and equity for all. It will advance our ongoing work on environmental justice and external civil rights while also overseeing the implementation and delivery of new resources, including a $3 billion climate and environmental justice block grant program created by the Inflation Reduction Act. Press release.
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Reports, Toolkits and Other Resources | |
EPA Model Recycling Program Toolkit
The Model Recycling Program Toolkit is an interactive collection of EPA and other materials. Toolkit materials can help states, territories, local governments, tribes, schools, nonprofit organizations, companies, and public-private partnerships create effective programs for recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, reuse, repair and waste reduction. Materials in the toolkit can help communities increase participation in recycling programs and reduce contamination in the recycling stream.
View: https://www.epa.gov/recyclingstrategy/model-recycling-program-toolkit
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Year One Anniversary Report, November 2022
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Year One Anniversary Report highlights how EPA is working with state, local, and Tribal partners to transform communities through the largest appropriation the Agency has ever received. EPA has already awarded $5.5 billion of the $14.1 billion available in FY 2022 through grants, contracts, and interagency agreements, and program implementation efforts and will continue to build on this progress in the coming year.
View: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-11/BIL_Anniversary_Report_11142022.pdf
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Project Summary Report “Reducing Aquatic Trash Though Stormwater and Solid Waste Management”
October 2022
TFW partnered with the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, KCI Technologies, and the American Chemistry Council to explore the status, challenges, and potential solutions to address aquatic trash in the context of stormwater and solid waste programs. The project partners just released a summary report of learning from several stakeholder engagements held on this topic.
View: http://nationalstormwateralliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/NMSA_SW2_Stormwater-Trash_Report_October-2022_FINAL.pdf
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Greenwich Food Matters Challenge
A collaboration between Waste Free Greenwich and CET
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CT Compost Alliance has a new video "Kitchen to Garden" for new composters
From collecting food scraps in your kitchen to assembling a pile with all your yard waste to how to apply in your garden made by the CT Compost Alliance.
The CT Compost Alliance is a group of aerobic composting enthusiasts representing a diverse group of stakeholders working together to coordinate opportunities that focus on supporting and educating current and future composters to learn, network and engage by enhancing and improving our soils.
Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development - CT RC&D Peels and Wheels CompostingUConn Extension Master Gardener ProgramCT NOFAConnecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)
https://youtu.be/sTdAn7vzbks
| Recording & Presentations | |
EPA Trash Free Water (TFW) Webinar recording – Bioplastics: The Good, The Bad, & The Band-Aids
On October 27, TFW hosted the tenth webinar in the TFW Webinar Series. Our panel of experts discussed the complexities of bioplastics - what they are, how they are and can be utilized, how they are disposed of, and their role in a sustainable environment. Over 200 people were in attendance. A recording will be posted on the TFW webinar archive in the coming weeks.
View webinar archive: https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/trash-free-waters-webinars
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Hold the Plastic, Please!
A Web Briefing For Restaurant Owners Who Want To Reduce Single-Use Plastic was held in October 2022. This Beyond Plastics webinar provided guidance on how restaurant, cafe, and bar owners can reduce their consumption of single-use plastic during day-to-day operations.
View webinar: https://www.beyondplastics.org/events/restaurants-10-3-22
View guide: https://www.beyondplastics.org/restaurant-guide
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5 Tips To Getting Best Environmental Insurance Policy
A lawyer who advises compost manufacturers says many lack coverage for environmental risk.
https://www.biocycle.net/5-insurance-tips/
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Two Positions at CET
Waste Reduction Consultant - Remote
Technical Operations · New Haven & Bridgeport, Connecticut
https://cet.bamboohr.com/careers/115
The Center for EcoTechnology hiring two Waste Reduction Consultants. This position helps businesses reduce costs and improve environmental performance by implementing waste management programs such as recycling, reuse, food recovery and composting. The Waste Reduction Consultant educates the business representatives and motivates them to implement the recommendations to divert waste from disposal.
You will need to travel throughout Connecticut and nearby states. You must have a valid drivers' license and access to a reliable, insured vehicle. Remote employees must have high speed internet access and a working location free from distractions and interference during business hours.
More information, including how to apply, here:
https://cet.bamboohr.com/careers/115
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Two Positions at WasteZero
in Connecticut
WasteZero is partnering with municipalities in Connecticut to help initiate food scrap collection efforts to help reduce the waste stream. WasteZero is partnering with these communities to assist with education, outreach, and operations of these programs.
CT Sustainable Materials Project Lead | WasteZero - full time
CT Sustainable Materials Project Assoc | WasteZero - temporary/part-time
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SOLID WASTE COORDINATOR
PART/TEMP Professional
West Haven, CT, US
More info including how to apply
The City of West Haven is looking for a creative, collaborative, and versatile coordinator to join our Department of Public Works. The Public Works Department oversees a wide range of tasks associated with the City's public infrastructure. Divisions within the department include Road Maintenance, Building Maintenance, Engineering, and Solid Waste Management.
The Solid Waste Division plans, organizes, and directs the City's recycling, waste reduction, reuse, composting, and household hazardous waste program. The Division also maintains, updates, and administers the City's Solid Waste Management Plan and its Solid Waste Ordinance.
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CT Municipalities Begin Food Scrap and
Trash Co-Collection Pilot Programs
This month, the City of West Haven and the City of Middletown launched curbside food scrap and unit-based pricing for trash co-collection pilot programs. Using special green bags for food scraps and orange bags for trash,16,000 households in West Haven and 2,800 households in Middletown are separating the two material streams which will be co-collected at the curb. The materials for both communities are transported by municipal fleet and delivered to a CT DEEP permitted facility in Wallingford, CT for sorting - the green food scrap bags are sent to Quantum Biopower and the orange trash bags are sent to an in-state waste-to-energy facility.
The programs are funded by CT DEEP’s Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Grant program. Nearly $5 million in SMM grants were awarded to programs that support the development of food scrap collection and unit-based pricing pilot programs, the type of waste diversion efforts recommended by the Connecticut Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management (CCSMM), a coalition of over 100 municipalities across the state working on ways to reduce waste and increase reuse and recycling.
Fifteen municipalities were approved to receive grants and launch a variety of transfer station and curbside food scrap and unit-based pricing pilots: Ansonia, Bethany, Deep River, Guilford, Madison, Meriden, Middletown, Newtown, Seymour, Stonington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, West Haven, Woodbridge, and Woodbury. Three regional groups have been approved to receive grants to support the municipal SMM pilots: South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG), Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) and Housatonic Resources Regional Authority (HRRA).
Many of the SMM grant applicants modeled their pilots off a successful pilot program the City of Meriden launched earlier this year with DEEP SMART grant program funding. The Meriden pilot was a 4-month, 1,000-household test to prove the feasibility of co-collection of food and household waste and the ease-of use for residents; the pilot diverted over 13 tons of food scraps from the waste stream. The Meriden project received broad interest from residents, including those not part of the pilot.
Connecticut relies heavily on aging disposal infrastructure through which the majority of solid waste is incinerated to generate energy. The pilot programs are designed to reduce the amount of trash in these communities and reduce reliance on this infrastructure or out of-state-landfills. With the July 2022 closure of the Hartford Resource Recovery Facility owned by the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA), up to 30% of the state’s solid waste will now be shipped to out-of-state landfills. The pilot projects will help meet Connecticut’s goals to reduce waste and increase reuse, recycling and composting, while also creating stable, predictable, environmentally sound and self-sufficient waste disposal options.
For more information about the pilot programs, please contact Jennifer Weymouth at CT DEEP.
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Payments to Municipalities from Fees on Miniature Alcohol Bottles
UPDATED
April-Sept 2022 Payment Summary
Section 10 of Public Act 21-58 established that "on and after October 1, 2021, any beverage container containing a spirit or liquor of fifty milliliters or less shall be assessed a five-cent surcharge by the wholesaler of such beverage container to the retailer of such beverage container and by the retailer of such beverage container to the consumer of such beverage container."
Also, on April 1, 2022, and every six months thereafter, payment shall be remitted by each wholesaler to every municipality where any such beverage container was sold during the preceding six-month period by such wholesaler. Such payment shall be at the rate of five cents for every such beverage container sold within such municipality by such wholesaler."
In order to reduce the number of checks that a single town might receive, the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of CT (WSWC) agreed to aggregate the 5-cent fees collected by all wholesalers and send a single check to each town in which the 50ml (or smaller) containers of spirits or liquors were sold.
P.A. 21-58 also specifies that "All payments received by any municipality...shall be expended by such municipality on environmental measures intended to reduce the generation of solid waste in such municipality or reduce the impact of litter caused by such solid waste, including, but not limited to, the hiring of a recycling coordinator, the installation of storm drain filters designed to block solid waste and beverage container debris or the purchase of a mechanical street sweeper, vacuum or broom that removes litter, including, but not limited to, such beverage containers and other debris from streets, sidewalks and abutting lawn and turf areas."
A list summarizing the payments to towns for the 6-month period of 10/01/21-03/31/22 can be found here.
A list summarizing the payments to towns for the 6-month period of 4/01/22-9/30/22 can be found here.
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Webinars for new EPA recycling infrastructure, education and outreach funding opportunities
EPA has announced new funding opportunities from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. From November 2022 through January 2023, EPA will conduct multiple webinars for each of the three new opportunities. Each session will be presented twice. All sessions will be recorded and posted online. To register, select all the dates you wish to attend by clicking on the square next to the webinar date in the registration form link below. Scroll to see all dates in the series.
Political Subdivision Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant (for counties, cities, etc.):
Overview of request for application, eligible entities, evaluation criteria, application process, and answer questions (same presentations)
• Dec. 5, 2022 @ 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)
• Dec. 7, 2022 @ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)
Review procurement, subawards, and answer questions (same presentations)
• Dec. 13, 2022 @ 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)
• Dec. 19, 2022 @ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)
State and Territory Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant:
Overview of program, review notice of intent to participate, and answer questions (same presentations)
• Nov. 29, 2022 @ 2:00pm – 3:00pm (EST)
• Dec. 1, 2022 @ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)
Review program guidance and workplans, and answer questions (same presentations)
• Dec. 19, 2022 @ 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)
• Jan. 3, 2023 @ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)
Recycling Education and Outreach Grant:
Overview of request for application, eligible entities, evaluation criteria, application process, and answer questions (same presentations)
• Nov. 30, 2022 @ 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)
• Dec. 6, 2022 @ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)
Review procurement, subawards, and answer questions (same presentations)
• Dec. 15, 2022 @ 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)
• Dec. 20, 2022 @ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)
Register for all of these webinars at: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_tz05naUCQ76zCN5QhNPvyA
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More Languages Just Added!!
Once you have downloaded the App, you can now search:
English
Spanish
French
Portuguese
SImplified Chinese
Czeeeech
Welsh
German
Haitian Creole
Hungarian
Japanese
Khmer
Korean
Punjabi
Russian
Vietnamese
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All toothpaste tubes continue to be OUT and not accepted by any CT MRFs that process our mixed recyclables regardless of what the packaging states.
Thanks to Katherine Bruns, West Hartford for photos.
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Toothpaste Tubes are OUT!
Toothpaste tubes have long been on the list for "not acceptable in CT's mixed recycling program." Tom's of Maine has had a toothpaste tube since 2019 that is "recyclable" and in February of 2022 Colgate announced a new toothpaste tube they claim is "recyclable." While we commend their efforts, we wish they didn't put "recycle me" on their product, further confusing consumers.
Acceptable vs. Recyclable
We continue to encourage residents to think whether an item is "acceptable" in the mixed recycling program - recognizing not all things that are recyclable are accepted (ex. shredded paper, t-shirts, motor oil).
All toothpaste tubes continue to be OUT and not accepted by any CT MRFs that process our mixed recyclables.
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Missed the last Newsletter or recent Webinar?
Check out the
on the CT DEEP webpage.
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Upcoming Events:
NOVEMBER 2022
November 30, 2022 - 10:00am - 11:30am - Battery Regulations, Chemistry and Recycling webinar. Register here. Hosted by North American Hazardous Materials Management Association. Virtual.
DECEMBER 2022
December 7, 2022 - 11:30am - Material Reuse Deep Dive Forum - Impact of Building Materials Reuse on Climate Change webinar. Register here. Hosted by NERC. Virtual.
December 8, 2022 - 1:00p - 4:00pm - Rubber Modified Asphalt Workshop. Register here. Hosted by NERC. Virtual.
December 13, 2022 - 10:00am - 11:30am - Electronic Recyclers and Battery-Containing Device Management webinar. Register here. Hosted by North American Hazardous Materials Management Association. Virtual.
December 13, 2022 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm - Strategies for Residential Food Waste Reduction and Composting webinar. Register here. Hosted by NERC. Virtual.
December 14, 2022 - 1:30pm - Ground Glass Pozzolans – A More Sustainable Solution for Recycled Glass & Concrete webinar. Register here. Hosted by NERC and NEWMOA. Virtual.
December 14, 2022 - 2:00pm - Addressing Contamination in Food Waste for Composting webinar. Register here. Hosted by Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF). $ Virtual.
December 15, 2023 - 1:00pm - 2:30pm - Packaging EPR - Business Perspectives - EPR Working Group Meeting. Register here. Part of CT Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management (CCSMM). Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.
JANUARY 2023
January 9, 2023 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm - Gypsum Wallboard: Problems, Recommendations, & The Current State of Recycling webinar. Register here. Hosted by NERC and NEWMOA. Virtual.
January 10, 2023 - 1:00pm - 2:30pm - Increase Reuse and Recycling Working Group meeting - topic School Cafeteria Waste. Register here. Part of CT Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management (CCSMM). Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.
January 24, 2023 - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting.
Register here. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.
January 24, 2023 - 10:00am - 11:30am - State of Practice of EV Batteries webinar. Register here. Hosted by North American Hazardous Materials Management Association. Virtual.
January 24, 2023 - 1:30pm - 3:00pm - Gypsum Wallboard: Opportunities to Increase Recycling webinar. Register here. Hosted by NERC and NEWMOA. Virtual.
FEBRUARY 2023
February 23, 2023 - 10:00am - 11:30am - EPR for Lithium Batteries. Register here. Hosted by North American Hazardous Materials Management Association and the National Stewardship Action Council. Virtual.
MARCH 2023
March 8, 2023 - 2023 Rhode Island Compost Conference & Trade Show. Registration information coming soon. Hosted by the Rhode Island College Environmental Club. Rhode Island College, Providence. In-person.
March 28, 2023 - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting.
Register here. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.
SAVE DATES
April 3-4, 2023 - NERC's Spring Workshop: Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining A Diverse Workforce. Registration coming soon. Hosted by NERC. Virtual.
June 27, 2023 - - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Register here. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.
October 24, 2023 - - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Register here. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request an accommodation contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov. | |
CT DEEP | Source Reduction & Recycling Group | 860-424-4193 | www.ct.gov/deep/recycle | | | | | |
