Dear Middletown Recyclers,

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. We’ve been very busy in the Recycling Office and thank you to all the amazing volunteers who have helped us over the last few months.  The fall will bring many exciting new programs and here’s a glimpse of some of what’s happening. 

Electronics Collection Day – Saturday, September 10, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Wesleyan University, 170 Long Lane.  We are again partnering with Take 2, Inc. and Wesleyan University to hold a one day electronics collection day.  This is an easy in, easy out option for ewaste recycling.  Take 2 workers are on site to collect the materials, and they will even assist taking it out of your vehicle. This event is open to any CT resident.  A full list of what is acceptable is available here.     Electronics are also accepted at the Recycling Center, if you cannot make this event. 

Paper Shredding Days – The Lower CT River Council of Governments is holding two additional paper shred days this fall.  Middletown residents can attend these events at no charge.  They will run 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and have a five box limit. 

• September 24, 2022 Middlefield Community Center 405 Main St., Middlefield
• June 25, 2022 Westbrook Town Hall 866 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook

Please remember shredded paper is not acceptable with the regular curbside recycling.  Shred only what you really have to!

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day – Middletown will be hosting a HHW Collection Day on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Middlesex Community College.   If you can’t make this one, there will be one last one (for the season) on October 1, 2022 in Haddam at the Haddam Elementary School, 272 Saybrook Rd., Higganum. Middletown residents can attend these at no charge. 

Medicine Disposal at Middletown Police Department – In case you haven’t heard, the Middletown Police Department now has a drop off for unused or expired medications. Thank you Middletown Police and Health Departments for making this happen!  The Drop Box is in the lobby of the Police Station at 222 Main Street. 

Compost Bin Garden – With the help of UConn Master Composters, we are currently creating an educational Compost Bin Garden at 131 River Road, near Reboot Eco.  The Garden will display different types of compost bins.  It will be a “working” compost bin garden, so if you have interest in using it, please contact the Recycling Coordinator at recycling@middletownct.gov.

Refill, Not Landfill Coffee Cup Passport Program – We are thrilled with the excitement surrounding our Coffee Cup Passport Program. (logo above!)  Passports can be picked up at any participating shop.  The passport will be stamped each time you bring your own cup for coffee, and once you get five stamps, it can be entered into a monthly raffle.  The prize for August is a Middletown Arts Fest tote bag from Cinder + Salt, a blanket and beeswax wrap.   Participating shops are: Brewbakers, Essex Coffee & Tea, Klekolo World Coffee, Perk on Main, Perkatory, and Story & Soil.  This program was made possible by a generous grant from The Rockfall Foundation, and special thanks to the creative talents of Erin Deleon Photography and our recycling summer staff, Kate Gendrich, for their critical support in launching this program. 

Recreation Recycles Videos – Be sure to check out our Recreation Recycles videos which come out about once a month.  Our latest one focuses on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) which changes the way waste is managed.  It requires producers to play more of a role in the recycling (or end of life management) of their products.  This policy change is critical to reducing waste, recycling more and incentivizing producers to design more environmentally friendly packaging and products.

Recycling Tip – One word for my recycling tip today: Plastics.   It is absolutely best to avoid and refuse single use plastics. Bring your own cup.  Use reusable utensils. Bring a container for leftovers (at a restaurant).   Use the refill shop right here in Middletown. But, we as individuals, can only do so much, so plastic items are often unavoidable.   If you have a plastic item, please remember we only accept plastic containers with the recycling.  These can be bottles, tubs, jugs and berry baskets.  We do not accept plastic bags or film, pouches, utensils, toys, straws, hangers or anything else that is not a plastic container.  We also cannot accept black plastic or expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam).  Plastic is tricky.  If you have questions, please ask! You can check the recycling wizard at www.recyclect.com or contact me at recycling@middletownct.gov or 860-638-4855. 

Thank you for reading until the end!  Enjoy the fall vibes that will be coming soon and keep on reducing, reusing, refilling, recycling and rethinking your waste!

Sincerely, 

Kim O’Rourke
Middletown Recycling Coordinator
kim.orourke@middletownct.gov
860-638-4855