Sustainable Deep River advances thin-plastics collection, recycling tour and community screening plans

At its Feb. 26 meeting, the Deep River Sustainability Committee moved forward on local recycling and outreach initiatives. A proposed thin-plastics collection at the transfer station has been slowed by legal and personnel questions related to staff job descriptions, so the committee agreed to produce a trifold informational document and consult town attorney Jane Marsh before moving further.

Members noted that Stop & Shop in nearby Saybrook has not established a reliable pickup schedule for thin plastics, while Adams Market has installed a collection container. The committee discussed the current practice of sending collected plastics to facilities in North Haven or neighboring towns and the longer-term aspiration of establishing a regional baler or collection hub for River COG towns.

The group also discussed co-sponsoring a field trip to the Berlin recycling facility (Christian Lane); two committee members, including Jenna, volunteered to help organize the visit, which previously drew about 20 participants. Separately, the committee proposed screening the documentary 'The Extraordinary Caterpillar' (Homegrown National Park initiative by Doug Tallamy) as a community event around March 21 with a suggested donation of about $55 for groups under 30 and potential Garden Club participation.

The committee recorded these outreach items among its action list and asked members to keep Carol informed earlier in future initiative planning to avoid last-minute complications. No formal votes or ordinances were adopted at the meeting.