Connecticut is in a trash crisis. With the closing of the Hartford incinerator, more trash is being sent out of state. Disposal costs are increasing and as trash travels further away, there are increased environmental concerns. The City is working on many programs to reduce waste, recycle more and divert and compost wasted food to try to control costs and reduce environmental impacts.
In the fall of 2022, the City of Middletown was awarded an EPA Healthy Communities Grant to work with the Center for Eco Technology to pilot a program with Middletown restaurants to use reusable take out containers.
The Sierra Club has noted that single use takeout containers are one of the top contributors to the waste stream; with American’s disposing over 180 billion single-use takeout packaging products annually. Emerging industries support and foster reusable takeout containers, reducing environmental risks and improving our human health.
Participating restaurants include Perk on Main, Story and Soil & It Only Natural Restaurant. The Public Works and Health Departments have collaborated with CET to develop this guidance document for restaurants using reusable takeout containers.
The pilot program is expected to begin in the summer 2023. Watch this page for exciting details of how you can reduce your waste when ordering take out from our participating restaurants!