Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) awarded $5 million in Sustainable Materials Management Grants to help CT municipalities address the state’s waste crisis. Learn more about the award announcement here, and more about the waste crisis here.
NVCOG Participants: Ansonia, Middlebury, Seymour, & Woodbury
Four NVCOG municipalities (Ansonia, Middlebury, Seymour, & Woodbury) received grants for trash reduction programs involving (a) special color-coded bags which help residents “cut the trash in half” by limiting themselves to two per week, and (b) the separation of food scraps to be turned into renewable energy at an anaerobic digestor. The goal of these pilots is to gather data related to long term implementation of unit-based pricing of trash and organics diversion, as potential vehicles for towns to save money and reduce waste.
Pilot concluded – permanent program adopted.
- Program launched on February 7, 2023.
- Approximately 1,500 transfer station users were invited to participate.
- Woodbury’s program involves dropping off green bags in a special container at the transfer station, which is different from Ansonia and Seymour’s curbside pickup programs.
- Outreach efforts have included Community Champions Dinners at the Woodbury Public Library, a Woodbury SMM Kickoff Fair with the help of the Woodbury Conservation Commission and New Morning Market, a State Recycling “What’s In, What’s Out?” Workshop, a recycling-themed storytime at Woodbury Public Library, an Informational Session at the Woodbury Senior Center, two Listening Sessions (one in person, one virtual), and digital outreach through social media.
- Grant funds have also helped to purchase dozens of table-top compost bins (given to residents for free) as well as environmental education books to help residents learn about and participate in the program.
- The Town formed an ad hoc Waste Advisory Committee to formulate a plan for permanence and recommend it to the Board of Selectmen. See their agendas and minutes here.
- On January 29, 2024, the Woodbury Board of Selectmen voted to implement a permanent trash reduction program with full unit-based pricing and food scrap diversion.
- Woodbury’s program concluded on February 7, 2024.
For information on the permanent program, visit https://woodburyct.org/waste
Pilot Concluded
- Program launched on December 5, 2022.
- More than 7,000 households given the tools to participate in Ansonia’s SMM pilot program.
- Outreach efforts have included an SMM Kickoff Fair at the Ansonia Public Library, a State “What’s In, What’s Out?” Recycling Workshop, Community Champions Dinner, educational tabling at local stores, and digital outreach through social media.
- Grant funds were used to purchase hundreds of table-top compost bins that were distributed to residents for free.
- Grant funds were also used to purchase dozens of environmental children’s books for Ansonia Public Library and local elementary schools.
- Ansonia’s pilot concluded in July, 2023.
Pilot Concluded
- Program launched July 1, 2023.
- Approximately 1,500 households that use the Transfer Station have been invited to participate.
- Newspaper articles, social media postings, and tabling at the Transfer Station are helping to spread the word about the program.
- Grant funds have helped to purchase hundreds of table-top compost bins, which were distributed to participating residents for free.
- Community Champions slideshow 9.19.23
- Holiday-themed postcard mailed to pilot participants in December
- Middlebury’s pilot concluded April 1, 2024.
Pilot Concluded
- Seymour’s program launched on February 13, 2023.
- About 1,000 households on the Monday trash pickup route have been given the tools to participate.
- Outreach efforts have included a virtual SMM informational video, Community Champion Dinners, and digital outreach through social media.
- Grant funds have helped purchase dozens of table-top compost bins, which were distributed to participating residents for free.
- Door-to-door canvassing allowed staff to visit every household in the pilot area, providing individualized education and gathering feedback on the pilot.
- Community Champions Presentation 2.27.23
- Seymour’s pilot concluded July, 2023.
Video Gallery
Explore informative videos which provide valuable insights into the trash reduction pilots and strategies employed for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
