Resource Recycling Advisory Council

Middletown Resource Recycling Advisory Commission Regular Meeting November 22, 2021 Members Present: Stephan Allison, Alison Johnson, Eleanor Nettleton, Debbie Stanley, Krishna Winston. Members Not Present: Chantal DeArmit, Izzy Guy, Rebecca MacLachlan, Lydia Wolfe, Tisha Zawisky Members of the Public Present: Jeff Myjak, Zoe Farnsworth Staff Present: Kim O’Rourke, Recycling Coordinator The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm by Chair Winston. She welcomed everyone and asked the members of the public if they wished to speak. Zoe Farnsworth, a Wesleyan graduate who had recently moved back to Middletown, gave an introduction and expressed a strong interest in becoming involved in waste-reduction and recycling and composting activities. The minutes of the Oct. 22, 2021 regular meeting were accepted as presented. Reports Ms. O’Rourke notified the Commission that Middletown had just been selected to move to the next phase of the DEEP Sustainable Materials Management grant process. In the coming week DEEP would be holding a meeting to discuss the next phase of the process. She cautioned that reaching this stage did not guarantee funding, but noted that the City was pleased to be moving forward. Ms. Winston commented favorably on the grant proposal’s inclusion of unit-based pricing and food-waste diversion in two pilot projects, one in the Sanitation District and one in an area serviced by private haulers. Ms. O’Rourke also reviewed the status of several other projects. The Glass-Only drop-off she had been working on was awaiting funding approval by the Director of Public Works. She announced that she was putting together a small group to assist with developing an educational compost garden at 131 River Road, the site of the Reboot Eco shop. She reported that she would be participating in Small Business Saturday by managing a Re-Gift Swap Table with Cinder + Salt on Saturday, Nov. 27, and was partnering with Reboot Eco to hold a Holiday Toy Swap on Dec. 11. She referred the Commission to her written report, with a detailed update on all current projects. Ms. Winston reported that she, Mr. Allison, and Ms. MacLachlan had stained most of the shelving in the Swap Shack and had about 2 hours’ worth of work left to do, after which the Shack could be stocked and opened to the public and a grand opening scheduled. She reminded the Commissioners of her request for input on the signage, especially on the tone of the instructions, which she wanted to be friendly but firm. Ms. Johnson suggested moving to the end of the instructions the information that the Shack was sponsored and maintained by the Commission. She felt that particular detail was less important to convey to the public than the specifics on what items would be accepted and their condition. Old Business Members discussed the Center for EcoTechnology’s restaurant video. Ms. O’Rourke asked for suggestions on how to use it. Suggestions included asking restaurants to include information on the program and the video when they passed out paychecks. Commissioners also suggested designing a poster that restaurants could display where the food waste was collected. An effort should be made to develop instructions in pictures and different languages. Zoe Farnsworth expressed interest in helping with this project. New Business Members generally supported the sample resolution for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, but because a quorum was not present, the Commission could not vote on the proposal. Those present agreed to having a special meeting to discuss the resolution so it could be moved forward in a timely manner. Ms. O’Rourke promised to send out a Doodle poll to identify a time for the special meeting. Ms. O’Rourke reported that a resident, Brian Stewart, had sent an article on the pollution caused by gas-powered leaf-blowers to ask whether the Commission might be interested in working on the issue. Several members spoke in favor of such an effort, whether it involved policy or education. Members noted the importance of including education on leaving leaves on the ground as a source of protection for wildlife and nutrients for the soil. Ms. O’Rourke said she would discuss this endeavor with the members of Project Green Lawn. Suggestions included submitting an article to newspapers, putting information on the City website, and posting on social media. Members discussed whether to hold the regular December meeting. Since Ms. O’Rourke could not attend, they decided to cancel it, but to hold the special meeting to discuss the resolution in support of EPR for packaging. With no further business, Mr. Allison made and Ms. Nettleton seconded a motion to adjourn at 7:45 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Kim O’Rourke 2 Middletown Recycling Coordinator 3