Resource Recycling Advisory Council

Middletown Resource Recycling Advisory Council June 28, 2021 Regular Meeting Members Present: Krishna Winston, Tisha Zawisky, Stephan Allison, Eleanor Nettleman, Raffie Bianco, Alison Johnson Members Absent: Rebecca MacLachlan, Lydia Wolfe, Chantal DeArmitt, Bessie Bianco, Debbie Stanley Others Present: Kim O’Rourke, Recycling Coordinator Call to order The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm. Acceptance of the Minutes Members who had been present accepted the minutes from the meeting of May 24, 2021. Recycling Coordinator’s Report Ms. O’Rourke reviewed the restaurant food-waste collection program. A list of the participating businesses can be found on the city website. She said a press conference would take place in mid-July to announce the program. Members talked about instructing restaurants on identifying food scraps and separating them correctly, about showing how this program would save restaurants money, and about increasing participation. Ms. O’Rourke announced the satellite drop-off for food waste at the Emergency Management facility on Randolph Road would be set up by July 1st. Signs had been posted and carts would be delivered before July 1st. Ms. MacLachlan, Ms. Winston, and Ms. Zawisky agreed to monitor the carts on a regular basis. Members discussed the current food-waste law and how to improve it. Ms. O’Rourke reported on Community Day at Macdonough School, which she described as very successful. She had offered information and a Trash Toss game for kids. Ms. Winston asked for information on the Recycle CT grant for the Erin St. Community Garden mentioned on the agenda. Ms. O’Rourke explained that the Wesleyan Sustainability office, the CT River Coastal Conservation District, and Middletown Recycling were jointly applying for a grant for community composting at the Erin St. garden. It would include helping to educate the families who use the garden and expanding the composting effort that already exists there. Ms. O’Rourke said she was hoping to start a food-waste collection at one of the summer camps and was in the process of getting one established at Farm Hill School. Ms. O’Rourke reported that the Carton Council was offering additional resources to promote carton recycling; she intended to take advantage of these resources by updating the City’s recycling website and incorporating carton recycling into other promotions. Ms. Winston asked whether the summer youth program sponsored by the Chamber might benefit the recycling program. Ms. O’Rourke responded that she had been assigned a young person, but did not yet know what experience and skills she might bring to the position. Ms. Winston said the City would soon need to move forward on renewing its Sustainable CT certification. Ms. O’Rourke said she would be meeting with the Sustainable CT interns to decide on a project with which they could help during the summer. Ms. O’Rourke reported that Director Russo had received requests for improved signage at the Recycling Center, and she had sent him the recommendations members of the Commission had generated. It was to be hoped the suggestions would be accepted and acted upon. The Commissioners were referred to the detailed information on current projects in the Recycling Coordinator’s Report. Ms. Winston mentioned the need for a recycling container at Spear Park. Members spoke briefly about the statewide plastic bag ban starting July 1st. Ms. Winston announced Ms. O’Rourke would be speaking at the Rockfall Foundation’s next Meet Your Greens event on July 15th at the Wadsworth Mansion. Chair’s Report Ms. Winston said she and Ms. O’Rourke had attended the Commission on the Arts’ first Summer Sounds Concert at Spear Park, offering information on many aspects of recycling. She urged other members to consider attending. Ms. Winston reported that she was still working on getting the dimensions of the Swap Shack so she could move forward on getting the interior designed. Members discussed whether to allow Cans for Cause to share the Commission’s space at the Open Air Market in August. A possible problem mentioned was that unrinsed containers dropped off might attract bees. They concluded that Mr. Myjak should have tops on his collection containers or locate the collection point in a different area. Dates and Times of Meeting Ms. O’Rourke said she meant to talk to Ms. Bianco about having a noon meeting. She asked if other members would agree to 12:00 meeting for one of the coming months. The members discussed whether to move to in-person meetings. It was decided to stay remote through the summer, with a possible daytime meeting in August. Weekly Recycling Pick up Ms. O’Rourke reported receiving a call from a resident in the Sanitation District who advocated for weekly recycling pickups. The members agreed that such a service would be beneficial but was not economically feasible at present unless trash collection could be moved to every other week. 2 Plastic Bags and Film Ms. O’Rourke asked if there was any interest in participating in the Trex Community Plastic Film Challenge. Any community that collected over 500 pounds of plastic film and shopping bags would receive a recycled plastic bench. After considering the question, the Commissioners concluded that they had more worthwhile projects to pursue. Single-Use Plastic Outreach A member of the Conservation Commission interested in reducing single-use plastics such as eating utensils, take-out containers, and straws had given Ms. O’Rourke a draft of an information sheet rating food containers from best to worst. Ms. O’Rourke suggested putting this document on the recycling website and sharing it with restaurants. She also proposed a campaign to encourage residents to do “one thing” to modify unsustainable behavior. Members discussed using the Zero Waste pledge as a starting point. Ms. Winston noted that tackling one problem at a time could enable people to see results, which in turn would encourage them to continue their efforts. Ms. Winston encouraged each member of the Commission to support the Recycling Coordinator on at least one project. Increased participation would bring more results. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kim O’Rourke Kim O’Rourke Middletown Recycling Coordinator 3