Single Stream Recycling Comes To Newtown

July 1

A “significant change” will take place at Newtown’s transfer station on July 1, said First Selectman Pat Llodra. On the first day of July, Newtown will begin its single stream recycling, which will be available to any resident at no cost. All previously separated materials set aside for recycling can soon be placed in one bin, she said.

Mrs Llodra explained, “We are increasing the amount of [recyclable] product we can take at our transfer station, and those items do not need to be separated.” She and Public Works Director Fred Hurley spoke this week about the program promoted by the Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority (HRRA), to place all recyclables — paper, glass bottles and jars, plastics, cardboard, aluminum cans, phone books, cereal and egg cartons — and other previously separated materials into the same bin. The HRRA is the regional waste management and recycling authority serving towns including Newtown.

Mrs Llodra’s long-term expectations for Newtown will include single-stream curbside pick up. Changes to the recycling trucks and curb-side containers must take place before the household single stream recycling can begin.

“Curbside will happen as soon as we have the resources to make those changes,” she said.

According to the HRRA website at hrra.org, single stream recycling is “easy and convenient, no more sorting!” The site notes that the single stream recycling is available from all HRRA haulers.