POLICY3 Waste Transformation in CT, Chris Nelson

Connecticut Department ofEnergy and Environmental Protection

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Waste Transformation in CT

April 8, 2014Chris Nelson, CT DEEPMassRecycle R3 Conference

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Recent Waste Transformation Processes

• Materials Management Summit Series (2012)

• Governor’s Working Group to Modernize Recycling (2012)

• Resource Recovery Task Force (2013)

• Operational Review of Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA) (2013)

• New laws: P.A. 13-285, currently proposed S.B. 27 and more…

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2718&q=501588&deepNAV_GID=1645

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2718&q=503432&deepNav_GID=1645


http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/waste_management_and_disposal/solid_waste/transforming_matls_mgmt/resources_recovery_task_force/crra_operational_review_report_110813.pdf

http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Public+Act&bill_num=285&which_year=2013&SUBMIT1.x=19&SUBMIT1.y=9

http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=27&which_year=2014&SUBMIT1.x=3&SUBMIT1.y=9


Waste Transformation Priorities• Increase Recycling and Diversion through Market-Based Strategies

and Innovation to recover more value from discards

• Ensure that non-recycled waste is managed sustainably to protect the environment, achieve economic sustainability, and control energy costs– Waste-to-energy to remain a viable option during transition to a modernized

infrastructure that better helps the state reach higher diversion targets

Source Reduction& Reuse

Recycling

Composting and

Organics Recycling

Energy Recovery

Landfill & Incineration

Greater Environmental Benefits (e.g., GHG reductions) & Economic Benefits (e.g., jobs)

Fewer Environmental Benefits

& Economic Benefits


Sustainability Comparisons

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

RI

U.S.A.

VT

OR

PA

NY

United Kingdom

CA

MA

ME

CT

Denmark

Sweden

Netherlands

Germany

% Recycled % Composted % Waste-to-Energy % Landfilled

Sustainable Waste Management Ladder(2008 data from Earth Eng. Center, Columbia U)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

RI

NY

U.S.A.

CT

VT

ME

PA

MA

United Kingdom

OR

Denmark

Sweden

CA

Netherlands

Germany

Sustainable Waste Management Ladder(2008 data from Earth Eng. Center, Columbia U)

% Recycled % Composted % Waste-to-Energy % Landfilled


CT List of Designated Recyclables• Glass food containers; metal food containers

• Scrap metal

• High grade white office paper (non-residential)

• Old corrugated cardboard

• Old newspapers

• Waste oil

• Leaves

• Lead-acid storage batteries

• Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries

• Grass

• Covered electronic devices

• PET (#1 plastic) and HDPE (#2 plastic) containers

• Boxboard (e.g., cereal boxes)

• Magazines

• Residential High Grade White Paper

• High Grade Colored Paper (Colored Ledger )


A Few Transformation Strategies

• Incentivize recycling of organics (anaerobic digestion and composting)

• Continued utilization of Product Stewardship / Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approaches

• Encourage municipalities to adopt unit-based pricing systems to provide proper economic signals to generators (e.g., residents)



http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2714&q=324872&deepNav_GID=1645#MRRAP


What is Still in Connecticut’s Trash?


What is Still in Connecticut’s Trash?

Compostable Materials By Weight

Overall Statewide DisposedSource: CT Statewide Solid Waste Composition and

Characterization Study Final Report 2009 – Table 6

Material Est. Percent Est. Tons

Food Waste 13.5% 321,481

Compostable Paper 8.2% 195,185

Leaves & Grass 7.2% 172,408

Prunings & Trimmings 2.2% 51,550

Branches & Stumps 0.4% 10,149

Total 31.5% 750,773


CGS 22a-226e as amended by P.A. 13-285

Recycling of source-separated organic materials.

• (a)(1) On and after January 1, 2014, each commercial food wholesaler or distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket, resort or conference center that is located not more than twenty miles from an authorized source-separated organic material composting facility and that generates an average projected volume of not less than one hundred four tons per yearof source-separated organic materials shall: (A) Separate such source-separated organic materials from other solid waste; and (B) ensure that such source-separated organic materials are recycled at any authorized source-separated organic material composting facility that has available capacity and that will accept such source-separated organic material.


Organics Infrastructure Being Developed…

• Three composting facilities in the state currently permitted to take food scrap - Harvest New England (Ellington), New Milford Farms (New Milford), New England Compost (Danbury)

• Permit application just received for another composting facility in South Windsor (Nutmeg Road Composting)

• Permit application in house for an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Southington (Supreme/Quantum)

• Permit application for another AD facility in central CT expected soon (Turning Earth/Covanta partnership)

• Other AD facilities discussed for Ansonia, Bridgeport and SE CT

• Bridgewater, CT launching a pilot program for curbside collection of food scrap

• Other businesses providing services for food scrap collection & delivery to permitted facilities



CT Product Stewardship (PS) Initiatives • Programs already established in CT for:

– Electronics (E-Waste)

– Mercury Thermostats

– Paint

– Mattresses

• Hosting initial regional conversations on:

– Carpeting (May 14-15, 2014)

– Batteries (June 11-12, 2014)

• CT also starting to do some initial review of packaging PS programs


Unit-Based Pricing (UBP) & Muni Grants

Recognizing that UBP for MSW results in higher diversion rates, CT DEEP continues to promote.

• In 2013, released RFP for grants for municipalities that implement a new or enhance an existing UBP program for residential MSW

• In 2014, issue new RFP(s) for broader UBP program(s)?

• In 2014, establish grant program for larger cities?


2014 Proposed LegislationGovernor’s S.B. No. 27 (An Act Concerning CT’s Recycling and

Materials Management Strategy) proposes to:• Establish the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) as a

successor authority to CRRA

• Sets a 60% diversion rate by 2024

• Establish Recycle CT Foundation, Inc. to “target and promote the coordination and support of research and education activities and public information programs aimed at increasing the rate of recycling and reuse in the state”

• Issue RFP to revamp current RDF technology at Mid-Conn waste-to-energy facility in Hartford

• Creates a mechanism for the state to purchase electricity sourced from Waste-to-Energy facilities, providing the potential of a stable source of revenue for operators

http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=27&which_year=2014&SUBMIT1.x=3&SUBMIT1.y=9


Some upcoming tasks

• Complete updated Waste Characterization analysis to see what is still in the trash (MSW and Construction & Demolition waste)

• Update Solid Waste Management Plan (last revised in 2006)

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Questions?

Chris Nelson

CT DEEP

Sustainable Materials Management Program

[email protected]

860-424-3454

mailto:[email protected]

POLICY3 Waste Transformation in CT, Chris Nelson

Government & Nonprofit

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