Connecticut Legislative Session Fails to Address Waste Reduction

Hartford, CT. — Despite growing concerns over municipal solid waste disposal, the 2026 legislative session failed to pass any bills that effectively address waste reduction. As out-of-state landfills reach capacity and aging incinerators shut down, municipalities are facing rising tipping fees. These increases are driven not only by disposal rates, but also by the increasing cost of transporting waste hundreds of miles across state lines. Ultimately, these higher costs will fall on residents and small businesses through increased property taxes and waste disposal fees.

One waste-related bill advanced out of the Environment Committee: House Bill 5524, An Act Concerning the State’s Materials Management System, championed by Environment Committee Vice Chair, Representative Aundré Bumgardner. This bill aimed to expand the number of entities included in the Commercial Organics Recycling Law, limit the use of polystyrene and single-use plastic foodware, prioritize food donation, and expand funding opportunities for waste reduction and reuse initiatives, specifically in schools. However, as the session progressed, the bill was stripped of key waste reduction measures, including expanding the Commercial Organics Recycling Law and prohibiting the distribution of polystyrene foodware. The bill failed to be called in the House of Representatives, resulting in less progress compared to last year’s waste bill. 

“The outcome of this year’s legislative session is worrisome. We have stressed the need for waste reduction programs before disposal costs skyrocket. Legislators fail to realize that their constituents will be paying more for disposal fees in the near future. Initiatives, such as composting, food donation, and unit-based pricing, have been successful in reducing waste and saving money in the state and all over the country. The CT Zero Waste Coalition thanks Representative Aundré Bumgardner, who worked adamantly to try to progress this legislation. We will continue to work with the Environment Committee leadership and environmental organizations to ensure waste reduction is a priority next session.” — Madison Spremulli, CT Zero Waste Coalition.

“Sierra Club Connecticut is deeply concerned that, in the face of a growing waste crisis, the legislature failed to deliver meaningful action this session. With disposal costs rising and reliance on polluting infrastructure, inaction is not a neutral choice, it shifts the burden onto residents and small businesses while worsening environmental harm. Lawmakers had a clear opportunity to advance real waste reduction policies, but instead allowed critical provisions to be stripped away and ultimately let the bill die without a vote. Connecticut cannot afford another year of delay.” — Julianna Larue, Sierra Club Connecticut. 

“While our state has rightly focused on energy as a driver for reducing costs with investments in  clean energy, most people are not aware of the enormous and rising costs to dispose of our solid waste.  Every person, every town, and the entire state is paying dearly to ship more than 800,000 tons of garbage out of state every year to be burned or landfilled ‘elsewhere’.  The public is owed an explanation as to why legislation has failed year after year to address this growing financial burden, and who blocked this year’s effort, so it does not happen again.” — Lori Brown, CT League of Conservation Voters.

"Sustainable Fairfield is disappointed that House Bill 5524, An Act Concerning the State’s Materials Management System was diluted and not even put to a vote in the recent legislative session. The State has a goal of diverting 60 % of waste through reuse, recycling and source reduction and this bill suggested many smart and simple steps that would have advanced us towards that goal. Continuing to kick this down the road to future sessions just exacerbates the waste crisis, putting the burden of increased costs on residents and small businesses and contributing to a more polluted environment. " — Becky Bunnell, Sustainable Fairfield.

“Connecticut cannot afford to continue treating edible food as waste while communities struggle with rising costs and food insecurity. Food recovery and organics diversion are not fringe ideas - they are practical, proven infrastructure solutions that reduce disposal costs, lower emissions, and strengthen communities at the same time. Every day, organizations like Haven’s Harvest see firsthand how much good food is still being discarded and how much pressure municipalities and nonprofits are under. We are disappointed that this legislative session did not move meaningful waste reduction policy forward, particularly at a moment when disposal costs are increasing statewide. Connecticut has the opportunity to become a national leader in reducing wasted food and investing in smarter, community-based materials management systems. We hope lawmakers will return next session ready to act with urgency.” — Lori Martin, Executive Director, Haven’s Harvest.

“The legislature passed no waste bills this session, but the number of community members, families, health experts, and scientists who joined this fight gives us hope that change is only a matter of time. There is power in those numbers, and we're making it harder and harder for elected officials to ignore what is already clear to those of us who call Connecticut home: We deserve better, and we should not have to share our communities with waste.” – Marc Gonzalez, Program Coordinator at Conservation Law Foundation.