To the Editor:

I applaud the town’s ‘Save As You Throw’ initiative and the progressive efforts to encourage waste reduction through reuse and composting. My family has participated in the pilot since 2023, and we are pleased to see it becoming permanent.

Recently we received a letter from First Selectman Capeci outlining the details of the Unit Based Pricing system which will be effective July 1, 2025. The letter was clear, and the implementation makes sense as a way to continue to encourage waste reduction.

I would like the town to consider one change to the program to fully support waste reduction. The letter states that effective July 1st only new blue branded bags will be accepted, and the orange bags which were part of the pilot program may no longer be used after that time. The letter directed me to an HRRA site for information on what to do with unused orange bags, which said only “bring them to the transfer station.” What happens to them at that point? Do they get put in the trash? That would seem contrary to the goals of the program.

I encourage the town to consider allowing the orange bags to be used until the supply is exhausted beyond the communicated July 1st date.

Brad Greene

Sandy Hook