DEEP is continuing to carry out its mission and provide services while keeping both the public and our workforce safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click on link for the latest updates on DEEP's COVID-19 Response.

Find more information on the Materials Management Response to COVID-19 webpage

For the latest information and guidance, visit ct.gov/coronavirus

The Coalition finalized their "Menu of Options" in January 2021 and are now moving forward; helping coordinate connections between municipalities, COGs and other regional entities that have similar interests and opportunities to partner on different initiatives.

An initiative to facilitate ongoing dialogue and coordination to support increased organics infrastructure and services will have its kick-off meeting Friday, February 26, 2021.

This first meeting will begin working with municipalities, developers, and other stakeholders to address expansion of organics infrastructure and diversion services, both to handle increased quantity of material, and to provide for infrastructure or services that are geographically accessible all across the state.

A new Recycling Learning Series is being coordinated focusing on topics as outlined in responses from the CCSMM members Survey from the Menu of Options.

Registration.

Recently, regional waste authorities including SCRRRA, HRRA, BRRFOC-TROC, Wallingford Region and MIRA and Councils of Governments (COG), including RiverCOG, MID-NEROC, MetroCOG, Northwest Hills COG, Southeastern CT COG, Northeastern CT COG, Western CT COG, South Central CT COG, Capitol Region COG, and Naugatuck Valley COG met to discuss next steps on how to move forward on these priority issues. Follow-up information forthcoming.  

The EPR Working Group has been focusing mostly on legislative activities outlined as priorities in the Menu of Options.

March 25: What Happens to Your Trash?

Suggested donation of $10 per session. Donations can be made here: www.rockfallfoundation.org/donate

Share with schools, educators and students...

For High School Students

Students will participate in sessions that develop an action project for their school or community. 

For more information, including how to register.

 Past Surveys 

The C40 – a group of international cities taking bold climate actions – released an Implementation Guide on local government opportunities to reduce embodied carbon and waste.

New Zero Waste Jobs Report

GAIA, a global network of more than 800 grassroots groups, NGOs, and individuals, envisions a just, zero waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped. Zero Waste and Economic Recovery: The Job Creation Potential of Zero Waste Solutions

Full Report & Video

ReFED has developed top 10 solutions ranked by net financial benefit that all food system players should implement to #HalveFoodWasteBy2030. Learn more about solutions at https://refed.com/food-waste/the-solutions#solutions

The Foundation for Plastic Recycling, established by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has established a new Buy Recycled initiative.

This new Buy Recycled campaign provides free resources and educational materials to help you reduce your environmental footprint.

For further information and application form, please visit EPOC webpage.

USDA Value-Added Producer Grant Anaerobic Digesters

Eligibility: Independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, as defined in the program regulation, are eligible to apply for this program.

Funding: $33 million and any additional FY 2021 funding that becomes available.

Maximum Grant Amount: Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000.

Closing Date: Electronic applications due Mar. 16, 2021 (Midnight Eastern Time)

Archived Municipal Recycling Coordinator E-News and Webinars

Concern about syringes and sharps has recently had an uptick from MRF operators.

Syringes and sharps are OUT.

Looking for ways to promote?

This image and others are available on www.RecycleCT.com/Social

You can use this in print media or social media such as Facebook, and Twitter, Instragram.

March 3, 2021 - 12:00pm - ReUSE Minnesota Impact Study Results Register here. Hosted by ReUSE MN.

March 8, 2021 - 12:00pm - Who is at the Table? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Waste and Recycling. Register here. Hosted by the National Recycling Coalition, Northern California Recycling Association and the Ohio Recycling Coalition.

March 9, 2021 - 2:00pm - Plastic Film Recycling & End-Markets. Register here. Hosted by NERC.

March 9, 2021 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm - Composting Indoors with Worms. Register here. Hosted by Cornell Extension, NY Broome County Division of Solid Waste Management.

March 13, 2021 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm - Composting 101. Register here. Hosted by Grassroots Gardens of Western New York.

March 23, 2021 - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Council meeting. Register here. Hosted by CT DEEP.

March 30-31, 2021 - Reframing Recycling in 2021 - NERC Spring Conference. Register here. Hosted by NERC.

April 13 - 15, 2021. NYS Organics Summit. Register here. Hosted by NYSAR3.

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.