Edelson: Southbury Striving to be a Zero Waste Community

Southbury launched a new environmental initiative “Go Green Go Southbury” on Environmental Awareness Day earlier this month.  

The campaign’s overall objective is to make sure all residents are aware of the many existing and future programs that the town has to help save money while being better stewards of the environment, said Southbury First Selectman Ed Edelson in his latest “First Selectman’s Message”.  

The current communications campaign is supported by an outreach grant the town received from Covanta Corporation, Southbury’s sustainable waste services provider.  

“All of our initiatives are about saving taxpayer money in the long run,” said Edelson. “With the prospect that the cost of municipal waste disposal will increase in the future, now is the time to look for alternatives to dumping trash in a bin and forgetting about it.”  

Paint recycling, composting of food waste, handling of compact fluorescent bulbs and providing a “swap shop” location at the transfer station is other ideas on tap for the campaign.  

“Someone once said to me you should always have an audacious goal in mind – something that really challenges the conventional wisdom,” said Edelson. “With “Go Green Go Southbury”, I would like to see Southbury set a goal of being a zero waste community. If we set our minds to it, I think we can achieve it.”

To read the full “First Selectman’s Message” click here.