November 2, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mayor Benjamin D. Florsheim, 860-638-4801

Kick Off of Middletown’s New Trash and Food Scrap Program

Press Conference on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 2:30 pm

Mayor Ben Florsheim and DEEP Commission Katie Dykes will be celebrating the kick off of Middletown’s new trash and food scrap program at a press conference on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 2:30 pm at the Middletown Highway Garage, 485 Washington Street, Middletown, CT. 

This exciting initiative will offer sanitation district property owners using wheeled carts for waste and recycling, a reduction on their sanitation bill, dropping from $400 to $280 per year on average. Residents will need to use the official City of Middletown waste bags: orange bags for trash and green bags for food scraps. The program is designed to reduce waste, mitigate long-term costs, promote equity among residents, and is supported with a grant from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In this program, sanitation district residents and businesses will only pay for the waste they generate, allowing them to control their waste expenses and avoid subsidizing the wasteful habits of their neighbors. With a shortage of trash disposal capacity and the costs of waste disposal escalating, this is an excellent way for Middletown residents to take charge of their waste and make a difference. Communities throughout the northeast have already seen impressive results from similar programs, generating 54% less waste per person on average. Orange waste bags are available in three sizes, and green bags for food scraps in two sizes. Both can be placed into curbside trash carts for easy pickup and disposal.

The Save as You Throw program is being rolled out with the help of volunteers, students, and paid workers, all working together to spread the word and help residents get the most out of this exciting new initiative. So, grab your bags and be part of the solution!