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Earth Day 2022: Focus on Recycling Education and Enforcement

Posted on: April 21, 2022 - 9:54am
Earth Day 2022: Focus on Recycling Education and Enforcement

East Hartford, CT – Earth Day is annually recognized on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. In recognition of Earth Day, this year the Town of East Hartford is focused on boosting the community’s recycling efforts through education and inspection. Recently, East Hartford appointed the Town’s first Solid Waste Official – Cesar Zapata, who is responsible for inspection of residential recycling carts to eliminate unacceptable materials that increase costs to taxpayers and reduce out Town’s recycling success.

Mr. Zapata has launched the town’s recycling program with two goals in mind:

  • To increase residential participation and collection of acceptable materials in blue carts.
  • To reduce contamination caused by unacceptable materials and items placed in blue carts.

HOW WILL THIS BE DONE?

These efforts will encourage improved curbside recycling behavior through public education, outreach campaigns and enforcement. Among these activities are:

  • Cart inspection and tagging of recycling carts on collection days and placing red tags on carts that check off the unacceptable items found in the carts.
     
  • Targeted street lists will be posted weekly on Public Works webpage at www.easthartfordct.gov/public-works and on the Town’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/townofeasthartford to inform residents about upcoming inspections.
     
  • Virtual and in-person training will be offered to residents to identify and remove unacceptable items from their recycling carts.
     
  • Presentations to schools and at community events.
     
  • Direct Mailing notices to residents and property owners identifying unacceptable recyclables, explaining rules and potential fines.
     
  • General Advertising through a variety of communication platforms such as social media, local radio and television, cart stickers and more to highlight the contamination caused by placement of the wrong items in blue carts.

Remember, your recycling makes a difference. “In East Hartford One Man’s Trash might end up being another man’s treasure.”

For additional information on the town’s recycling efforts or helpful tips, visit https://www.easthartfordct.gov/waste-services.