The General Assembly established a goal of reducing and recycling 40% of Connecticut's municipal solid waste stream by the year 2000 (Sec.22a-220(f)). That goal was never met, and the consequences have been enormous. Hundreds of thousands of tons of waste are shipped out of Connecticut each year, putting thousands of diesel trucks on the highways for trips of many hundred miles. One consequence of this needless truck traffic is the yearly addition of 300,000 or more pounds of diesel pollutants into the air. Another consequence is financial: a ton that is recycled instead of burned or landfilled can save a municipality, hauler or resident from $40 to $93, according to a 2010 report of the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee.

As total tonnage of waste has grown the percent that is recycled has not. In 2006, the DEP amended the State Solid Waste Management Plan to include a goal of diverting 58% of Connecticut’s municipal solid waste stream from disposal by 2024. This would be accomplished through recycling, composting and waste reduction (such as use of lighter packaging material). If this goal is met, Connecticut will be able to manage all of its garbage without exporting it.

This indicator was discontinued in 2008 because statewide data collection halted after 2004. The Council brought it back last year when the DEP compiled data for 2008.

*Personal Impact indicators illustrate trends in behavior or practices that can be expected to influence the condition of tomorrow’s air, water, land and wildlife.