Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recycling And Waste Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Simsbury committee advances school recycling, bottle-collection pilot and town waste outreach
Summary
The Simsbury Sustainability Committee reviewed implementation steps for a $5,000 school recycling grant and a new bottle-collection program for Simsbury High School, discussed textiles and food‑waste collection at the transfer station, and agreed to prepare local outreach materials and an October recycling newsletter.
The Simsbury Sustainability Committee discussed next steps to spend a $5,000 grant to buy special recycling bins for elementary and high schools and to coordinate distribution across district sites. Committee members said a small working group including the district’s head of kitchens will meet to sign distribution instructions and decide whether to pilot the bins at two schools or expand the program districtwide.
At Simsbury High School, committee members reported a new Clinc (bottle-and-can) collection program that credits school accounts. The high school has placed five collection containers and will receive fobs from Clinc so multiple staff or volunteers can deposit materials and route proceeds to the school. Committee members said they hope to expand the program so families can donate proceeds directly to the school in the future.
The committee also prioritized improving textile and food-waste diversion. Members discussed a vetted regional textile vendor identified by the Capital Region Council of Governments subcommittee (referred to in discussion as CISWA) and asked staff to confirm whether the town’s bulky-waste facility is participating and whether any rebate per ton exists. Members noted there is broad confusion among residents about what the transfer station accepts and urged clearer, local guidance and an updated brochure listing local options (for example, where to drop batteries, paint, electronics, CFL bulbs and books).
Regarding food-scrap programs, committee members said the transfer station accepts food waste and that the town’s hauler may be taking material to an anaerobic digester in Southington (referred to in discussion as Quantum). They discussed whether compostable bags should be allowed and asked staff to verify processor requirements. Members proposed outreach such as a giveaway of counter pails and compostable liners, public FAQ items and an October newsletter focused on recycling and reuse.
The committee reviewed existing local collection partnerships — paint take-back at local retailers, electronics drop-offs at Best Buy and Staples, and mattress and battery collection statistics available in a transfer-station RFP — and asked staff to add these local, actionable options to an easily shared brochure and town web page. Members also discussed working with schools and the land trust to publish a townwide article on recycling and to hold a small-business forum for guidance on acceptable food donations and other reuse practices.
No formal town policy changes or budget approvals occurred during the meeting; the committee assigned follow-up tasks to staff and volunteers to confirm vendor arrangements, finalize the school bin purchases and develop a communications plan.
