This exciting campaign, funded with a grant from the Rockfall Foundation, commenced on July 21, 2022!  Details of hte kickoff here. 

Did you know?

Disposable paper and polystyrene coffee cups are not acceptable with the recycling in Connecticut.  

In fact, compostable cups are also not acceptable with the City’s recycling or the food waste program!  Shout out to one local shop, Perk on Main, who has gone above and beyond and has made arrangements to get their compostableware actually composted, but keep in mind, this is not the norm in Middletown and the  Middlesex County area. 

The clear plastic cups for ice coffees, are accepted with the recycling program, but often end up in the trash. Clear cups for smoothies have to be rinsed out before recycling.  

Please note, straws, if used, should always go in the trash.   

Americans drink over 100 billion cups a year and are responsible for 58% of the paper cup consumption in the world!

We can only do so much as consumers, but it’s important to think of ourselves as being part of a movement even we, as individuals, can affect. There are many things we can do to be more sustainable in our every day lives (resources linked below), but here’s one we, as a community, can actively support! 

Refill, Not Landfill

The 2022 “Refill, Not Landfill, Coffee Cup Passport Program” encourages you, the lovely patrons of coffee shops situated down and around Route 9, to reduce waste by simply using your own reusable travel cups! We hope this simple and convenient outreach program will lead to less waste and more sustainable efforts region wide. Programs for reusable takeout cups and other “to-go” containers are happening all over the world, and we are interested in supporting those efforts in our area, especially those that are already taking place in the community.  

1. Sign a commitment pledge and grab a new and stylish reusable travel cup (while supplies last)! There’s no charge, just a written commitment that you will use your reusable mug. 
2. Pick up a Coffee Cup Passport and get it stamped at your local shop! Bring the passport to a participating shop, use any reusable cup, and get a stamp. Each one will be unique to the shop you visit – can you collect them all? 
3. Drop off your completed passport and enter into a Monthly Raffle! Once you get 5 stamps (unique to each shop and provided by the City), the passport can be entered into a raffle for local and sustainable prizes. The winners will be announced on this page and will be contacted via the information you include on your passport. 
4. We will be stationed in coffee shops and host outreach tables numerous times from July– October 2022 (so come say hi!).These outreach efforts will gladly teach everyone about the importance of waste reduction. Even if you don’t have much time, feel free to swing by and flash us your reusable cup to get resounding smiles and hoots.  Table Locations: 

   1. Perk on Main, Thursday, July 21, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

   2. Summer Sounds Concert, South Church, July 28,  6:00 - 8:00 p.m. 

   3. Middletown Arts Festival, August 5, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

   4. Story & Soil, September 7, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

   5. Russell Library, Sept. 19, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  

   6. America Recycles Day, Nov. 15, Middletown City Hall Lobby, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

Participating Shops

Special thank you to the shops participating in the Refill, Not Landfill Coffee Passport Program 

Perk on Main, 386 Main Street, Middletown

Story & Soil, 413 Main Street, Middletown

Perkatory Roasters, 725 Main Street, Middletown 

Klekolo World Coffee, 181 Court Street, Middletown 

Essex Coffee and Tea, 51 Main Street, Essex 

Brew Bakers, 169 Main Street, Middletown 

Passport Dropoff Locations 

Perk on Main 

Story & Soil

Perkatory Coffee Roasters 

Klekolo World Coffee 

Essex Coffee & Tea 

Middletown City Hall, 245 Dekoven Drive, Room 210, Public Works, Middletown 

ReBoot Eco, 131 River Road, Middletown 

Monthly Raffle Prizes 

July - The Self-Care Bag from ReBoot Eco - Congratulations Katie T! 

Rethink daily toiletries that are usually disposable. These products come in reusable containers, and all are made with natural products – plus, they are amazing. Comes in a reusable tote with dividers.

• Bar soap
• Liquid soap in a mason jar, with pump
• Bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste tablets
• Plastic-free floss
• Deodorant cream
• Lotion
• Toilet paper

August - Bag, Blanket and Beeswax from Cinder + Salt - Congrats James M! 

September - $50 Downtown Business District Gift Card - Congrats Jessica D!

October - The Picnic Bag from ReBoot Eco - Congrats Ed K! 

Enjoy the environment while saving it! The Eco Reboot Picnic Bag is full of products to help you replace your single use items in favor of eco-friendly, reusable ones. Comes in a reusable tote with dividers.

• Reusable snack / sandwich bag
• Microwavable food container
• Silverware set
• Reusable straw
• Cloth napkins
• DEET-free all-natural insect repellent
• Hand sanitizer
• Body butter

November - TBA!

Can't get one of our cups?  Many of the local stores offer sustainable reusable Cup/Tumbler Options.  Support our local shops, get great coffee and reduce wastefulness! 

Local Press

Coverage of Kick Off Event on July 21, 2022

 - Channel 30, NBC   (film)

- Channel 8, WTHN

-Middletown Press

FAQ 

Q: Where can I find the passports?

A: Passports can be found at any participating coffee shop or at the Public Works Department in City Hall.  

Q: Where can I drop off the passports?

A: There are passport collection containers at Perk on Main, Story & Soil, Essex Coffee & Tea Company, Perkatory, Middletown Public Works in City Hall, and Reboot Eco.

Q: Do I have to be a Middletown resident to participate?

A: No!

Q: Do I have to use a special cup?

A: No, as long as it’s reusable, it’s accepted.

Q: How will I be notified if I win the monthly raffle?

A: Winners will be contacted via the phone number or email they put on the passport.

Q: Can I enter the raffle more than once?

A: Yes, you can enter the raffle every time you collect five stamps. There is no limit on the number of entries per person.

Q: Do the passports expire?

A: No, the passports are valid from July to November, no matter how long it takes to collect five stamps

Q:  Does each stamp have to come from a different shop?

A: No, the stamps can come from any of the shops, and multiple of the five stamps can come from the same place.

Special Thanks to

The Rockfall Foundation for the grant to financially back this great endeavor.

And to the amazing creative talents of Erin Deleon at Erin Deleon Photography!  

If you have any questions, please contact Kim O’Rourke at 860-638-4855 or kim.orourke@middletownct.gov.