CT Zero Waste Coalition
The mission of this coalition is to promote the physical and economic well-being of Connecticut residents and address the waste crisis through donating and recycling organics, fair and equitable unit-based pricing, advancing reuse and waste reduction behaviors, and opposition to all new and existing trash incinerators and landfill-related infrastructure. We advocate for a zero waste, circular economy that will benefit residents and the environment for generations.
Subcommittees
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Incinerators
Mission:
We actively oppose all current and future trash-burning facilities, including ash landfills and newer waste-to-energy technologies, such as pyrolysis and gasification, as they degrade air and water quality. We advocate for zero waste infrastructure and policy for environmentally just solutions to waste reclamation.
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Organics
Mission:
We aim to reduce the amount of organic material that is landfilled and incinerated in Connecticut. Food scraps make up about 22% of our waste. Composting and donating food are key ways to reduce toxic emissions and help feed our neighbors. We advocate for local and regional programs and infrastructure to make food donation and recycling easy and accessible.
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Save-As-You-Throw
Mission:
To encourage municipalities to adopt Save-As-You-Throw, in which residents will pay a variable rate based on the amount of solid waste they throw away. Traditionally, residents pay a fixed fee that is often hidden in property taxes. Unit-based pricing is a fairer practice that motivates individuals to generate less waste. This method has been proven to increase recycling and reduce waste.
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Non-Mandatory Recycling & Reuse
Mission:
To advocate and promote reuse, donation, repair, and recycling of materials that are not mandated recyclables in Connecticut through outreach and education.
Zero Waste & Environmental Justice
Zero waste and environmental justice are deeply interconnected, as both prioritize equitable access to a healthy environment and sustainable resources. Zero waste focuses on reducing consumption, reusing materials, and diverting waste from landfills and incinerators, which often disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Environmental justice seeks to address these inequities by advocating for policies and practices that ensure all communities, regardless of socioeconomic status or race, can live free from environmental harm. Together, these movements promote a more inclusive and sustainable future, where reducing waste supports public health, climate resilience, and economic empowerment for all.