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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT THE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT FROM CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO CONSTRUCT A FOOD SCRAP DIVERSION SORTING FACILITY, AND TO ENTER INTO ASSOCIATED AGREEMENTS IN ORDER TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDING AND CARRY OUT THE ASSOCIATED GRANT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
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WHEREAS, Connecticut is facing a waste disposal crisis; and,
WHEREAS, the closure of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority in Hartford has resulted in Connecticut is sending about 860,000 tons (1.7 billion pounds) of trash out of state by truck and train; and,
WHEREAS, the majority of trash remains in state and is burned at aging incineration facilities; and,
WHEREAS, aging infrastructure has resulted in tipping fees for municipal solid waste crossing $100 per ton; and,
WHEREAS, the public health and environmental impact of incinerating and transporting trash is significant; and,
WHEREAS, incineration releases harmful pollutants (particulate matter, heavy metals, and dioxins) which worsen asthma and respiratory illnesses and can increase risk of cancer, reproductive and developmental issues; and,
WHEREAS, food scraps make up 20-25% of the waste stream that is burned; and,
WHEREAS, diverting food scraps from the waste stream can help mitigate the financial risk of rising tipping fees, improve air quality, and provide soil-building nutrients; and,
WHEREAS, food scraps can be co-collected with refuse by diverting the material into color-coded bags; and,
WHEREAS, these bags can be sorted and made into compost and biogas; and,
WHEREAS, funding is available through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Materials Management Infrastructure Grant Program help municipalities develop and construct solid waste management infrastructure; and,
WHEREAS, a sorting facility would provide the physical infrastructure needed for the City of New Have...
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