Through Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-228(b), Connecticut has formally adopted an integrated waste management approach as a guiding framework for solid waste management efforts. Connecticut’s system, the Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy (CMMS), adheres to this approach by emphasizing source reduction, recycling, composting, and energy recovery from solid waste, while relying on landfill disposal and incineration as a last resort. All of the actions called for by the CMMS are aimed directly at achieving the state’s goal of 60 percent diversion from disposal by 2024.

In Fairfield, private haulers currently bring waste and recycling to the Town’s transfer station. Most waste is sent to the Wheelabrator facility in Bridgeport that produces energy through incineration, but also contributes to air pollution. Recycling is sent to a facility that separates the types of recycling and sells those as commodities. Residents can also bring their waste (for a fee) and recycling (no charge) to the town transfer station.  Electronics, textiles, tires, scrap metals, appliances and other items can be recycled (some for a small fee). Yard waste is accepted at We Care Denali down the street from the transfer station.

The Town generated roughly 33,000 tons of solid waste in 2023, the most recent reporting year, roughly 19,000 tons from residents.  Residents generated an additional 5066 tons of recycling. The state goal is to achieve 60% diversion of solid waste by 2024.

Achievements to Date

• Sustainable Fairfield hosts composting seminars, produces recycling stickers, and guides and conducts a series of outreach programs to reduce food waste and other waste. Through a grant, over 75 residents have received composters at a reduced price.
• SFTF also hosts two mattress drop-off programs a year where residents can drop off mattresses and box springs to be broken down and the components recycled.
• The Town started a glass recycling drop-off program in early 2022 that appears to be slowly gaining momentum.
• The Town also started a food waste recycling drop-off program at the Transfer Station and working with SFTF through a grant from Recycle CT, gave away over 250 composting starter kits to kick off the program.
• The Town holds an annual Hazardous Waste Day to dispose of hazardous items.
• SFTF, working with the Fairfield School Green Teams secured a grant to fund food waste reduction strategies in all eleven elementary schools and is in the process of rolling out this successful program to all Fairfield 6 grade middle schoolers
• SFTF, working with the school green teems ran a pumpkin recycling program that diverted over 18 tons of Pumpkins from the waste stream

Challenges Ahead

• The total waste tonnage represents an estimated 712 pounds of waste per capita per year. The town does not currently have a plan to achieve 60% diversion by 2024 per state guidelines.
• China, once the major purchaser of American recycled materials, is no longer accepting many types of US-sourced materials.  As a result, recycling in Fairfield now costs the town money. In addition, residents are not fully educated on how to recycle correctly, leading to roughly 20% of “recycling” being reclassified as waste and sent to be incinerated.
• Many Fairfield residents and businesses are not aware of what can and cannot be recycled, leading to contamination of recycled materials. Poor understanding of what can and cannot be recycled as well as limited options for recycling commodities is reflective of a national problem in recycling and in 2022, cost the town of Fairfield roughly $700K.

Benefits of Recycling

• Refusing, Reducing, Reusing, Repairing, Re-gifting, Recovering, and Recycling means less new materials need to be created, which conserves water and other natural materials
• Reducing solid waste, which means less waste is incinerated
• Improving air quality – less incineration means less pollution
• Protecting our natural environment
• Reducing the cost to the Town of solid waste/ recycling management

2030 Plan Goals

• Reduce the amount of residential solid waste collected at the transfer station to 600 pounds per capita by 2028 and 500 pounds by 2030
• Reduce recycled material contamination by 50% by 2026 through education and outreach        
• Increase the types of items able to be recycled at the Transfer Station to include items such as mattresses.
• Explore options to reduce single use plastics and food / drink containers
• Explore options to reduce use of single use paper bags
• Explore options for “swap shop” type programs for gently used furniture
• Create a green business endorsement to encourage local business to recycle and increase energy efficiency
• Become a Zero Waste Town by implementing a Zero Waste program in all Town schools and buildings and encourage residents and businesses to become Zero Waste participants
• Work to create a program that can support residents who might not have access to a car to allow them to get mattresses and other items to the transfer station and / or recycling event.

How Do We Reach Our Goals?

• Work with our legislature, residents, businesses and schools to promote and implement recycling and waste reduction:
• Clarify what gets recycled and what doesn’t
• Promote composting programs at schools, businesses, and homes
• Purchase products that use less packaging
• Re-use durable items instead of single-use items 
• Promote and encourage Extended Producer Responsibility programs and other recycling and waste reduction initiatives.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Town of Fairfield Solid Waste & Recycling

CT DEEP CSSM Solid Waste & Recycling

Town of Fairfield Recycling Sticker

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