RRDD1 was formed in 1970, operating as a landfill in Winsted, serving the residents of Barkhamsted, Colebrook, New Hartford and Winsted/Winchester. In 1974 the facility opened its operation in Barkhamsted. In 1989 the site was listed on NPL followed by remedial investigation / feasibility study, leading to capping the site, and the processes. Colebrook opted out, with the new transfer station serving three communities. Today, RRDD1 continues as a transfer station and with a high emphasis on recycling.
RRDD1 operates with a staff of four full time and eight part time employees, overseen by a Board of Directors, consisting of representation from the three communities, with an operating budget of $1,677,870. Revenues are generated by resident sticker sales, fees charged for construction and demolition debris, second hand sales, land lease for a cell tower and a 4,800 panel solar farm, plus town assessments.
Generated debris is brought in by residents, contractors and the towns. Municipal solid waste (MSW) is transferred off site to the Hartford based trash-to-energy plant, via our 2013 or 2015 Kenworth T440 Roll-off trucks, utilizing 35 specific containers for either household trash, construction debris or recyclable items. Equipment includes a 2019 John Deere 524L wheel loader, a 2001 JCB 214 backhoe loader and a 2018 John Deere backhoe loader, all with forklift, plow and sander attachments, plus a vibrating screener used to turn decomposed leaves and grass clippings into a fine top soil/ compost which is later sold to residents. A Fairbanks scale is used in the C&D area to find the tare, which calculates disposal rates. Three RJ550 trash compactors are in use; two 2018 units for household trash and a refurbished, in 2019, 1999 unit for cardboard, replacing a 1986 unit.
Fiscal year stickers are sold on site during regular daytime business hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 7-3) at the gatehouse. Fees: Annual resident $85, ½ year resident $50, contractor $160.
During Fiscal Year 18/19, 11,585 tons (8,130 private haulers (residences, businesses, schools, etc.) and 3,455 RRDD1) of MSW were transported to the MIRA trash-to-energy plant in Hartford. 1,669 tons (792 private haulers and 877 RRDD1) of single stream recycling were also trucked off site to MIRA’s Hartford recycling center. The single stream recycling ratio of items sent to MIRA show 9% from private haulers and 21% from RRDD1. Note: MIRA numbers contain household trash plus some construction debris which was all processed. Non burnable construction debris, 1,104 tons, was sent to Frost Bridge for processing. RRDD1 also collected 6.13 tons of auto batteries, 1.5 tons of NiCd batteries, 33 tons of tires, .5 ton of wire, 349 tons of light iron, 24 tons of heavy metal, 9.5 tons of clothing, 65 tons of electronics, 2 tons of light bulbs, 16 tons of household paint, 208 tons of Freon appliances, 1,142 propane tanks, 1,962 mattresses, 864 pcs CEDs/ non CEDs, 1000 gallons used motor oil, 500 gallons of spent antifreeze and about 3,000 cubic yards of brush, leaves and logs which are ground / screened and sold to residents as mulch, chips or top soil. These items were ALL recycled which surely does bring up the waste to recycling ratio at RRDD1! In addition, employees salvaged and sold second hand items, increasing revenue by $85,670 versus paying disposal rates. Lastly, all residents living within the RRDD1 towns were invited to participate in a household hazardous waste collection day, held in October. 137 households participated, recycling $5,454 worth of hazardous materials.
Over the past few years, commodity sales of single stream products have declined resulting in the loss of revenue to RRDD1. However, today while many towns across CT pay tipping fees for SS recycling, RRDD1 did not, due to our long term contract with MIRA, saving in excess of $61,000 (estimated $70 per ton).
The Board, Administration and employees consistently look at ways to increase recycling while watching the bottom line. A new educational center on site is in the planning stages, plus additional educational items.
Respectfully Submitted Debbie Angell, Administrator