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Resident urges Norwalk to join state sustainable materials group, offers to host compost awareness event
Summary
A resident told the Public Works Committee that Norwalk is one of the few towns in southwestern Connecticut not to join a state-formed sustainable materials management group and urged the city to participate; she also invited city staff to a planned compost-awareness press event.
During public participation at the May 20 Norwalk Public Works Committee meeting, resident Diane Loracella urged the city to join a state-created sustainable materials management group and highlighted composting opportunities.
Loracella, who identified herself as living at 21 Little Fox Lane, said she regularly attends Solid Waste Advisory Council (SWAC) meetings and described the state-formed Sustainable Materials Management (SMMSM/CCSMM) group (created during the pandemic) as a forum limited to municipal officials that shares strategies for recycling, food-waste composting and producer responsibility programs. “Long story short is that, I think Mr. Szabo may not be aware … this was formed originally by the state during the pandemic … It’s only open to officials from municipalities and towns to help them begin to really focus on four or five different waste streams,” Loracella said.
Loracella said Norwalk and New Canaan were among a small number of towns in southwestern Connecticut that had not joined the group and urged the city to participate to exchange ideas and pursue regional approaches that could reduce costs. She also said she will organize a press conference for International Compost Awareness Week and invited Council Member Frayer, Mr. Szabo and city staff to participate and to coordinate with the Norwalk Arrow Waste Coalition.
Committee members acknowledged the suggestion and said staff would follow up. City staff present confirmed they have participated in the program at times and that the city had not formally declined participation.
