Solid Waste Management in Connecticut

IMPORTANT COVID-19 BULLETINS AND INFORMATION

DEEP has responded to a number of issues that have arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  For information on solid waste and recycling issues, see below and visit the Waste Engineering & Enforcement Division's COVID-19 web page.  For COVID-19 information on other DEEP programs, visit the main DEEP COVID-19 web page.

PRESS RELEASE REGARDING BOTTLE BILL REDEMPTIONS:  Effective March 17, 2020, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) temporarily suspended enforcement actions against Connecticut retailers for failing to accept empty beverage containers for redemption under the law known as the “bottle bill.”  During this time, if stores do not accept empty beverage containers, DEEP will not issue them a notice of violation.
UPDATE:  Effective April 1, 2020, DEEP is extending the period of temporarily suspended enforcement actions through April 30, 2020.

DEEP has also created the following recommended signage for retailers to post if they choose to suspend deposit redemptions during this period of time:

— Retailer signage (horizontal version)
— Retailer signage (vertical version)

WAIVER OF CERTAIN SOLID WASTE PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS:  On March 19, 2020, DEEP received a communication from the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) which requested waivers and relief from certain solid waste permitting requirements in response to the COVID-19 emergency. DEEP issued a response to NWRA on March 24, 2020, as documented in the following two documents: 

— WEED Memo to Solid Waste Permit Holders and Consultants.
— Email from Bureau Chief Yvonne Bolton to NWRA in response to their inquiry.

Through Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-228(b), Connecticut has formally adopted an integrated waste management hierarchy as a guiding framework for solid waste management efforts. Connecticut's system adheres to this hierarchy by emphasizing source reduction, recycling, composting, and energy recovery from solid waste, while relying on landfill disposal and incineration as a last resorts.

The Connecticut Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy (CMMS) has replaced the former statewide Solid Waste Management Plan.  Critical to the successful implementation of the CMMS is the State Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee created to assist the Department in implementing the CMMS, identify emerging issues and solutions, and to participate in any revisions to the CMMS as necessary. 

Please explore the solid waste web pages below to learn more about solid waste management in Connecticut.  Questions can be directed to the Solid Waste Office at 860-424-3366.  If you know the name of the DEEP employee who can help you, use the staff finder.

• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
• Statutes & Regulations
• Permitting
• Solid Waste Facilities
• Waste Requiring Special Handling
• Operator Certification
• Transforming Solid Waste Management Into a Materials Economy

Related Topics

• Product Stewardship
• Connecticut's Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy
• Disaster Debris Management
• Beneficial Use of Solid Waste
• Non-RCRA Hazardous Waste/CT Regulated Waste
• Solid Waste and Recycling Data
• DEEP LEAN Initiative
• Illegal Dumping

Permitted Solid Waste Facilities

• Active Landfills in CT
• Registered Municipal Transfer Stations
• Permitted Transfer Stations
• Recycling Processing Facilities/Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) - Updated
• Construction & Demolition Processing Facilities
• Resource Recovery Facilities
• Clean Wood Processing Facilities - Updated
• Registered Active Leaf Composting Facilities
• Food Residual Composting Facilities
• Registered Facilities under the Commercial General Permit - Updated
• Permitted Biomedical Waste Facilities

Permitting

• DEEP Permits and Licenses Main Webpage (for all DEEP permitting information)
• Common DEEP Application Forms
• Solid Waste Permitting Fact Sheet
• Permit Application Forms for General & Individual Solid Waste Permits 
• Permitting of Municipal Transfer Stations and Recycling Centers
• Stewardship Permits
• Special Waste or Asbestos Disposal Authorization Fact Sheet

Solid Waste that Requires Special Handling

• Electronic Waste (E-waste)  
• Recycling and Disposal of Scrap Tires
• Management of Contaminated Environmental Media FAQ
• Construction, Demolition and Renovation Waste
• Guidelines for Municipal Management of Street Sweepings and Catch Basin Cleanings
• Biomedical Waste
• Identification of Potential Ash Residue Disposal Sites (CT DEEP, January 1989, pdf)

Statutes and Regulations

• Recycling Laws and Regulations
• Regulations for Solid Waste Management
• Proposed Revisions to Solid Waste Management Regulations (revised October 30, 2008)
• Proposed Revisions to Clean Fill Regulation  (draft October 30, 2008)
• Solid Waste Management Regs Revision Overview (presentation by Diane Duva, Nov. 14, 2008)

Content Last Updated April 15, 2020