Oak Ridge is nearing completion of the Kent Transfer Station's new glass collection container.  This will allow the town to enter into the glass pilot program the municipality is participating in through Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority.  Informational signs are up and staff have been handing out materials about the program and what glass is accepted. 

First Selectman Jean Speck called this a big, positive step for recycling efforts in the community. 

Once the container becomes full, it is hauled to Urban Mining in Beacon Falls to be processed into a material used as a filler in the making of concrete. Using 100% of the glass collected, it can replace up to 50% of the cement used in making concrete, reduces embodied C02 emissions on a nearly ton-for-ton basis, and creates a more durable concrete that is more resistant to the effects of winter maintenance materials like salt.  Because it is processed locally, Speck says it reduces transportation emissions, and supports Kent's commitment to The Connecticut Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management.

Kent was an early signer last summer to the DEEP initiative, which is focused on reducing the amount of waste that is generated in the state, improve reuse, recycling, organics collection, and to explore innovative solutions to reducing waste.