Guilford Delegation and Local Leaders Welcome $300k for Sustainable Waste Management

GUILFORD, CT – Today, State Senator Christine Cohen, State Representative Moira Rader and First Selectman Matt Hoey celebrated news that Guilford will be awarded $297,700 through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Grant Program.

The grant will support Guilford’s development of a preferred waste hauler program and a curbside food scraps collection system. In April the SMM program invited municipalities, councils of government and regional waste authorities to apply for state funding for sustainable waste management projects in order to help reduce municipal solid waste costs.

According to DEEP, the SMM program awarded $7.5 million in grants to 18 municipalities and regional organizations.

“Municipalities struggle to deal with the high cost of waste management and this state and local partnership not only helps reduce costs for local taxpayers, but also helps implement sustainable options,” said Sen. Cohen. “A curbside composting program is better for the environment and significantly decreases the weight of what needs to be hauled out of town, saving the town money. I am grateful to First Selectman Matt Hoey for his vision and leadership, and to Governor Lamont for his continued partnership with our local community.”

“The Sustainable Materials Management Grant reflects what’s possible when state and local leaders work together toward shared goals. We’re grateful to Governor Lamont, DEEP, and First Selectman Matt Hoey for their partnership and commitment to sustainability,” said Rep. Rader. “With this support, Guilford can continue leading by example—reducing waste, diverting food scraps, and lowering costs through a cleaner, more efficient system. It’s a community-wide effort that strengthens our local economy and continues Guilford’s proud legacy of environmental stewardship.”

“Guilford has already seen major improvements in reducing trash and diverting food waste since we implemented our Pay As You Throw system a year ago,” First Selectman Matt Hoey said. “We appreciate Sen. Cohen’s leadership to advance sustainable waste solutions, and we’re grateful the state recognizes the value in Guilford’s curbside food scrap collection proposal. This will make it even easier for us to separate food from the waste stream and can serve as a model for other communities as we work together to address the waste crisis.”