West Hartford Signs Waste Disposal Contract with Covanta Energy

West Hartford Town Manager Ron Van Winkle signed an agreement Thursday afternoon, forming a new partnership with Covanta Energy Corporation and ending the town's decades-long waste disposal contract with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA).

"The homeowner will see no change," Van Winkle said at Thursday afternoon's press conference. Paine's will continue to collect the town's trash from the curb, but once that trash leaves West Hartford, it will go to Covanta's facility.

West Hartford has had a contract with CRRA since 1984, but that contract expires on Nov. 15, allowing the town to seek alternative options.

Van Winkle said that West Hartford has been discussing a possible arrangement with Covanta, the largest owner and operator of trash-to-energy facilities in the country, for several months. Director of Public Works John Phillips has been involved in the discussions, as has West Hartford Director of Financial Services Chris Johnson.

Van Winkle said that Covanta has a reputation for "exemplary service."

Covanta's Vice President and New England Regional Business Manager Stephen Diaz said, "We are extremely excited about the opportunity. We look at West Hartford and this partnership as a stepping stone," he said, adding that the company hopes to have an opportunity to do more with West Hartford as a long-term relationship develops.

Diaz said that Covanta places an emphasis on safety as well as environmental compliance. "Ron, John, and Chris left no stone unturned. They wanted stability and predictability," Diaz said regarding the contracting arrangements.

Phillips is pleased that the town has made this decision with a company that places a high value on sustainability, and has the structure in place to provide information needed for budgeting.

Van Winkle said that the town's annual cost for disposing of garbage is close to $2 million. The new arrangement will save $250,000.

West Hartford's trash volume is approximately 25 cubic tons, and Covanta will charge $58.75 per ton for the initial contract period which begins Nov. 16. The fee will increase each year based on the CPI, approximately 2.5 percent per year. Phillips said that CRRA had offered a per ton fee of $61.50 for a new contract.

The new contract does not impact electronics recycling which is handled by Green Monster Ecycling, or hazardous waste disposal which is managed by the MDC.

West Hartford's recycling contract with CRRA also expires on Nov. 15, and Phillips said that details regarding a new recycling contract would be announced shortly.

According to a release provided by Covanta, the company "is the largest owner and operator of energy-from-waste facilities in North America, and current owner/operator of, Covanta Bristol, Covanta Projects of Wallingford, Covanta SECONN in Preston and Covanta Springfield in Agawam, MA."

In the past year, Covanta has entered into new agreements with several Connecticut municipalities including Guilford, Madison, East Hartford, Newington, Southbury, Windsor Locks, and Vernon, and will soon add several others.