Town of Kent
July 2023 to June 2024 Pilot
Funding provided by the Sustainable Materials Management Grants Program administered by the CT DEEP
The HRRA received a $55,400 dollar grant from CT DEEP to implement a pilot program for the Town of Kent. The pilot program will introduce a food scrap collection program in complement with a unit based pricing trash collection program. Also known as SAVE AS YOU THROW. This pilot program will run for twelve months.
What is this all about?
Why is Kent doing this?
CONNECTICUT IS FACING A WASTE CRISIS
- Waste disposal capacity in the U.S. is shrinking.
- The New England region is expected to lose 40% of its trash disposal capacity in the next 5 years and up to 100% by 2040.
- The State of Connecticut generates 3.5 million tons of municipal solid waste (trash) annually. However, the state only has capacity to manage 2.7 million tons of trash
- This loss of trash disposal capacity is significantly affecting ALL Connecticut communities.
- The alternative of trucking CT trash up to 600 miles out of state is expensive and not sustainable. We need a new approach.
How does the program work?
Residents will receive the following for the duration of the pilot.
- 104 orange (15-gallon) tall kitchen bags for non-recyclable household trash
- 1-year’s supply of BPI compostable biobags for food scrap recycling (2 per week) Learn about the food scrap recycling program HERE.
- 1 gallon countertop vented food scrap collection bin
When residents come to the transfer station, there will be a designated area to dispose of your orange trash bags and a designated area for your food scraps biobags.
Regular recycling of paper, plastic, metal and glass will continue as usual.
How Much Does This Cost?
New 2023-2024 REDUCED Transfer Station permit fees will be as follow:
- $125 Annual Transfer Station permit fee (Includes SAYT and food scraps program)
- $115 Senior Rate (Includes SAYT and food scraps program)
- $20 Food Scrap Recycling Program ONLY Permit
A transfer station permit fee is REQUIRED in order to use the Town of Kent transfer station. Click HERE to download a permit application.
All residents purchasing a full transfer station permit will receive, for FREE, 104 orange trash bags, a years supply of compostable food scraps bags and a 1 gallon vented countertop food scrap collection bin to use during the pilot.
Residents purchasing a Food Scraps Program ONLY permit will receive a vented countertop food scrap collection bin and a years supply of biobags.
A 6 gallon carry container is available for purchase for $10. Checks ONLY made out to HRRA.
Acceptable waste items
Regular household trash is acceptable in the orange SMM pilot program bags.
DO NOT place any of the following in your orange bag:
- Recyclable items (paper, plastic of metal)
- Food scraps (use compostable bags)
- Textiles
- Yard Waste
- Dirt, sod, concrete or rock
- Construction/Demolition debris
- Household hazardous waste
- Hot ashes or flammable materials such as oil, gas or paint
Click here to learn more about what is accepted and not accepted at the Town of Kent’s Transfer Station.
Click here to learn more about the food scrap recycling program.
FAQs
Do I Have To Participate?
Change is hard.. but this challenge makes change fun!
Residents are encouraged to join the challenge and use the provided orange trash bags and we ask each resident to separate out food scraps as best they can and place them in the compostable bags. With rising disposal costs, it is important to separate out food scraps and recyclables from disposal. Learn more about the food scrap recycling program here.
Do I still recycle?
YES! And we hope you will recycle MORE! There are no changes to the recycling program. Remember to keep your material loose and check the list of acceptable items, we also want you to recycle right
Questions about recycling? Learn more about recycling here.
I Backyard Compost. Should I Participate In The Food Scraps Recycling Program?
Backyard composting is great and encouraged! You may decide you want to use the food scrap recycling program for certain items (eggshells, meat, bones, and dairy, prepared foods) or to use in the winter.
Won't This Create More Work?
Not really. You are just replacing your current black/white kitchen bag with an orange bag and just moving your food scraps to a different bag. You also won’t need to take out your trash as often!
What about my kitty litter?
Yes, your furry friends make waste too! Cat litter must be disposed of in your trash.
WHAT DO I DO WITH BULKY WASTE?
That broken laundry basket… oh the darn hose has a hole… you can still bring it to the transfer station. Bulky waste is managed separately from household trash and fees will be applied. But wait! If you have material that can be reused or repurposed, consider donating it or finding it another home.
IS THIS ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK?
The program introduces the idea of moving the cost to dispose of trash for ONLY what YOU throw away.
The less trash you make, the more you SAVE.
With these tools, you can reduce your trash and save money. And turning our food waste into renewable energy makes more sense.
You may be trying this for the first time, but towns all over the U.S. (and the world!) have implemented similar trash reduction programs and have found success!
Kent will succeed with your participation!
How Do I Get My Free Bags?
Kent residents will have to obtain their Transfer Station permit IN PERSON this year. When obtaining your new permit you will be provided with the full Take the Kit below.
104 Orange Trash Bags
1-year’s supply of BPI Compostable Food Scrap Collection Bags
What If I Need Additional Bags?
Residents are encouraged to be sure to recycle all they can and separate their food scraps to stay with in the allotted trash bags. Additional trash and food scrap bags will be available at local retailers. List to be provided at a later date.
Do I need to buy additional orange bags, can I just use my regular trash bags?
We are encouraging all of the residents to TAKE THE CHALLENGE to reduce their regular household trash to 2 orange bags a week. If you haven’t met that challenge you can choose to purchase additional orange bags. More details to come.
Remember your annual fee was reduced to reflect the reduction of waste generated by participants. If the overall tonnage of waste is reduced, the cost is reduced and you benefit by lower fees. If the amount of material you throw away does not go down, someone must cover the cost for what you choose the throw away. This is called unit based pricing.
Unit based pricing is how you currently pay for your electric bill. You only pay for what you use. Now imagine if you had to pay for your neighbors electric bill who kept their lights on 24/7. They wouldn’t be fair. We are asking residents to take responsiblity for the waste you create not what others create and SAVE AS YOU THROW.
Are there other towns doing this?
Yes! Through other CT DEEP Sustainable Materials Management grants many other towns are piloting Save As You Throw and food scrap collection.
Check them out below!
Ansonia
Bethel
Deep River
Guilford
Madison
Newtown
Seymour
Stonington
West Hartford
Woodbury
What happens at the end of the pilot?
The 12 month program is an opportunity for the Town of Kent to pilot a bagged system in order to work on creating a permanent plan.
I Use An In-Sink Garbage Disposal. Should I Participate In The Food Scraps Recycling Program?
To reduce the risk of costly sewer backups, we strongly urge residents to switch from in-sink disposals and use the food scrap recycling program for food scraps. It will also save on your water usage and produce usable fertilizer.
I Am Interested In Reducing My Waste, What Else Can I Do?
Reduce your food waste. Keep your refrigerator clean and organized so you know what you have before you shop. Store leftovers in clear containers so you can see what’s in them. Use a shopping list. Use your freezer. Reduce other household waste by avoiding single use disposable items and choose products with minimal packaging.
Reuse: Use reusable shopping bags and coffee mugs. Repurpose glass jars at home. Donate household items and clothing. Consider cloth napkins.
Recycle: Remember the basics: Recycle your paper & cardboard and empty bottles & cans. Items should be clean and dry and placed loose in your collection bin. Learn more here.
Compost: Place all your food scraps in the compostable bags! Fruits & Veggies, Eggs & Eggshells, Meat & Seafood (include bones and shells), Coffee Grounds & Tea Bags, Dairy, Pasta, Grains & Bread, Cookies, Cake, & Candy. Please no plastic, no metal, no sanitary waste, no pet waste.