$7.5M in grants distributed across Connecticut for sustainable waste reduction – fox61.com

Report on Connecticut’s Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program

Introduction

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has allocated $7.5 million in funding to 18 municipalities and regional organizations. This distribution constitutes the second round of the Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Grant Program, designed to address the state’s escalating waste management crisis and support progress toward key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Program Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The primary objective of the SMM Grant Program is to provide municipalities with the financial resources to reduce municipal solid waste, lower disposal costs, and establish sustainable waste management practices. This initiative directly supports several SDGs:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By funding local waste management infrastructure and programs, the grants help reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities (Target 11.6) and create more resilient and sustainable communities.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The program is central to achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns by substantially reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse (Target 12.5).
• SDG 13: Climate Action: Initiatives that divert organic waste from landfills, such as composting, directly mitigate climate change by reducing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The program exemplifies a crucial partnership between state government and local/regional entities to achieve shared sustainability objectives.

Funded Initiatives and Contribution to SDG Targets

The grants will support a diverse range of projects specifically designed to advance waste diversion and reduction, aligning with specific SDG targets. Key initiatives include:

1. Unit-Based Pricing Systems: Implementation of “Pay-As-You-Throw” systems at municipal transfer stations to incentivize waste reduction among residents, directly contributing to SDG 12.5.
2. Food Scrap and Organic Waste Diversion: Funding for decentralized and curbside food scrap collection programs, as well as the installation of in-vessel composters and aerated static pile composting facilities. These projects are critical for reducing landfill waste (SDG 11.6) and cutting greenhouse gas emissions (SDG 13).
3. Regional Infrastructure Enhancement: Providing technical support for the expansion of regional waste authority operations and composting capabilities, building the necessary infrastructure for a circular economy (SDG 12).
4. Urban Co-Collection Programs: Launching innovative initiatives in urban centers for the curbside co-collection of municipal solid waste and food scraps, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in densely populated areas (SDG 11).

Strategic Implications and State-Level Commitment

State officials, including Governor Ned Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, have emphasized that these grants empower municipalities to control disposal costs and implement sustainable solutions tailored to their communities. The program is a direct response to Connecticut’s waste crisis, which has been exacerbated by the closure of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority and an increased reliance on out-of-state landfills.

By investing in local and regional partners, DEEP aims to increase Connecticut’s self-sufficiency in waste management. This strategic investment builds upon previous grant programs to establish permanent projects that will significantly advance the state’s commitment to responsible production, sustainable communities, and climate action as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

The article on Connecticut’s Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program addresses several Sustainable Development Goals by focusing on waste management, sustainable urban living, and collaborative efforts between state and local governments.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is central to the article as the grant program directly targets municipalities to improve their waste management systems. The initiative aims to help cities and communities manage their municipal solid waste more effectively and sustainably, thereby reducing the adverse environmental impact of urban areas.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The program’s focus on “waste reduction and a range of diversion initiatives” aligns directly with SDG 12. By funding projects like composting and food scrap collection, the state is promoting a shift towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production by substantially reducing waste generation.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights a partnership between the state government (DEEP) and local entities (“18 municipalities and regional organizations”). This collaboration is a key aspect of SDG 17, which encourages partnerships between government, the private sector, and civil society to achieve sustainable development objectives.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities

  The article states that Connecticut faces a “growing waste crisis” and that municipalities have “less disposal options,” leading them to truck waste to out-of-state landfills. The grant program aims to address this by funding local solutions to “bring down municipal solid waste costs” and increase “self-sufficiency in waste management.” This directly supports the goal of reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by improving municipal waste management.

• Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation

  This target is addressed through the program’s funding for “waste reduction and a range of diversion initiatives.” The article explicitly mentions projects designed to reduce waste, including “unit-based pricing systems,” “decentralized food scrap collection units,” “curbside food scraps collection,” and “composting enhancements.” These initiatives are all methods of prevention, reduction, and recycling aimed at substantially decreasing the amount of waste generated.

• Target 17.17: Encourage effective partnerships

  The entire grant program is an example of this target in action. The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is providing funding and resources to “municipalities, councils of government and regional waste authorities.” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes emphasizes this partnership, stating, “We are excited to continue making significant investments in our municipal and regional partners who are at the forefront of the waste disposal crisis.” This demonstrates a public-public partnership to achieve sustainability goals.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 11.6 (Implied): Proportion of municipal solid waste managed sustainably

  While not providing specific data, the article implies this indicator by describing the problem and the solutions. The “growing waste crisis” and reliance on “trucking waste to landfills in other states” represent the baseline problem. The success of the funded initiatives, such as “composting facility” and “curbside co-collection of municipal solid waste and food scraps,” could be measured by the increased proportion of waste that is diverted from landfills and managed through these sustainable methods.

• Indicator for Target 12.5 (Implied): Amount of material diverted from landfills

  The article focuses on “diversion initiatives.” Progress towards Target 12.5 can be measured by tracking the tonnage of materials, particularly food scraps, that are diverted from the traditional waste stream through the new collection and composting programs. The goal is to reduce the overall volume of municipal solid waste that requires disposal.

• Indicator for Target 17.17 (Mentioned): Amount of financial resources committed to partnerships

  The article provides a direct and quantifiable indicator for this target. It explicitly states that “a total of $7.5 million is being distributed to 18 municipalities and regional organizations.” This dollar amount serves as a direct measure of the state’s financial commitment to fostering partnerships for sustainable waste management.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fox61.com