East Hartford hiring a recycling inspector to ensure compliance, reduce costs of fouled recyclables
The continuing and costly problem of recyclables ruined by motor oil, paint and other material has prompted East Hartford officials to create a new inspector’s position responsible for targeting violators and educating the public.
Entire truckloads of recyclables have had to be diverted to the regular garbage stream, leading to higher costs to the town. Mayor Marcia Leclerc said Tuesday that the problem persists and town leaders hope to hire an inspector soon.
A main focus of the job will be inspecting recycling bins to curb improper disposal of plastic bags and other material meant for the trash, Public Works Director John Lawlor said. The problem is worse in multifamily areas because many residents are transient, and while landlords may know recycling rules, their tenants often do not, Lawlor said. Stopping the contamination at the source, before it fouls entire truckloads, is a goal, he said.
The inspector also will work to educate people about the importance of proper recycling — distributing flyers, posting information on the town and department websites, visiting schools and attending community events, Lawlor said.
Generally, Hartford and East Hartford have had more quality issues with their recycling loads than other communities, officials at the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority said. East Hartford quit MIRA as of June 30, but a list of rejected recycling loads from December 2020 showed the severity of the problem compared with other towns.
In just that month, 29 loads from East Hartford were rejected, compared with four each from Wethersfield and Windsor, three from Hartford and two each from Simsbury and Farmington, a MIRA report showed. Hartford, which is still with MIRA, has improved the quality of their recyclables within the past six months, Tom Gaffey, the agency’s director of recycling and enforcement, said.
Gaffey called the new East Hartford position, with a salary range of $53,150 to $64,604, a smart move. Recyclables get dumped for free, but contaminated loads carry the same tipping fee as municipal solid waste, currently $105 per ton at MIRA.
Education is the key, Gaffey said. People need to learn what belongs in a recycling bin. MIRA transfer station crews sorting recyclable loads have encountered roofing tar, engine parts, lawn mower blades, dirty diapers, deer carcasses in hunting season, even the occasional bowling ball, Gaffey said.
Items that should never go into the recycling stream also include:
Materials that tangle sorting equipment, including plastic bags, bubble wrap and other plastic wrap, garden hoses, strings of holiday lights and twine.
Dangerous, toxic or hazardous materials such as motor oil, antifreeze, paints and electronics. Take those to the transfer station instead for free disposal.
Bulky waste such as furniture, rugs and household kitchen items should be placed curbside in accordance with scheduled pickups. Residents in some towns can make appointments for curbside collection or deliver the items themselves to the transfer station. See town websites for information.
Organic materials such as leaves and other yard debris never go in the recycling cart. Check the towns’ websites for details on how to recycle such materials.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, spokesman Will Healey said, applauds the planned hiring in East Hartford “and we encourage other municipalities to follow.”
Hiring a recycling inspector, Healey said, is consistent with the recommendations in the Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy and the Connecticut Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management report for municipalities to take action to raise awareness and compliance with the recycling laws. Check out RecycleCT, and the information available through “What’s In, What’s Out” campaign.
Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com.
