Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) and Representative William Tong (D-Stamford) announced today that Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Town of Darien to further enhance the towns waste reduction efforts. The grant will be used to construct a permanent structure to be used as a Swap Shop at the Darien Recycling Center.
“The Swap Shop helps put old furniture, electronics and other items in the hands of people who want them while also keeping these items from ending up in the state’s waste stream,” said Senator Duff. “We teach our children that reducing waste is about the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This new Swap Shop will help us focus on that second R, ensuring that more useful items find a home rather than getting tossing into a landfill. By increasing opportunities to reuse and recycle items, Connecticut is at the forefront of a national effort to limit waste and protect our environment.”
“Our environment is constantly under threat, and with a changing climate we need to do everything we can to reduce waste by recycling and reusing items,” said Senator Leone. “The Swap Shop gives our community the opportunity to donate goods and keep them out of our landfills. I am excited this investment at our Darien Recycling Center continues our efforts to act environmentally responsible.”
“The Town of Darien has been devoted to recycling and reducing waste to protect our environment. This grant is important in those efforts, and I want to thank all those who secured this funding,” Rep. William Tong (D-Stamford, Darien) said.
“Our swap shop was started by a handful of volunteers in a temporary tent-like structure nearly seven years ago, and was quickly embraced by the community,” said Craig Flaherty, Chair of the Energy and Recycling Advisory Committee for the Town of Darien. “The space allows Recycling Center users to freely trade a variety of usable items, thereby keeping them out of the waste stream. We are thrilled that this grant from CTDEEP will enable us to install a permanent structure which will allow for the continued success of the swap shop and to serve as a reminder to our community to reduce waste through sharing and reuse!”
The Darien Swap Shop was launched seven years ago and has become a popular fixture at the Recycling Center. It is regularly packed with furniture, plates, toys and numerous other items which are free for anyone who wants them. The grant will allow for the Swap Shop to have a permanent home to ensure it continues to operate for years to come.
Waste reduction grants like the one awarded to Darien are made possible through DEEP’s Recycling Incentive Grants Program, which provides funding to funding is available for municipalities with existing outstanding waste reduction and recycling programs and for municipalities interested in implementing sustainable solid waste financing mechanisms or other waste reduction, reuse, and recycling initiatives.
Darien’s legislative delegation and DEEP are committed to adopting a 21st century materials management strategy that transforms the way Connecticut manages trash and recycling. The goals are to reduce the volume of trash that must be disposed of by doubling the state’s recycling rate to 60 percent by 2024, and reclaiming more materials of value from the waste stream. Through this approach, Connecticut can reduce the environmental impacts and costs associated with waste disposal, conserve resources, and create new “green” jobs.
For more information about DEEP’s waste reduction and recycling programs or funding opportunities, please visit www.ct.gov/deep/recycle or www.ct.gov/deep/MuniRecyclingResources.
