Litchfield
Litchfield
Coming November 2026: A New Way to Handle Your Trash
Today
Right now, most Litchfield households pay a private hauler a flat monthly fee, whether the can is overflowing or barely half full. That's about to change.
This fall, you'll have another option: bring your trash to the Recycling Center and pay only for what you actually throw away. Recycling and food scraps is still free.
Your Cost
The less you toss, the less you pay. Residents who recycle well and separate food scraps could pay as little as $5 a month. Larger households with more trash might land closer to $20. Either way, you pay for your own trash, not your neighbor's.
It Depends On You
We're gauging resident interest to see if this program would be a helpful service. Every household that signs up strengthens Litchfield's case for trying something new. Signing up costs nothing and locks in nothing.
We Would Like Your Input
We would like your input
1. Roughly how many people live in your household?
2. If you use a private hauler, what do you currently pay per month?
3. Would you be interested in a pay-per-bag trash drop-off at the Recycling Center instead?
4. At what monthly price would this option feel like a good value to you?
5. Do you currently separate food scraps for drop-off or backyard composting?
6. What would make it easier for you to participate in food scrap separation?
7. Have you used the Recycling Center's Swap Shop, book exchange, or textile collection?
8. Would you like to be added to the email list for updates and meeting reminders?
Waste Reduction Tips & Tricks
♻️ Recycling: Small Habits, Real Payoff
Keep it empty, rinsed, and open, never bagged, bundled, boxed, or shredded. Clean recycling gets a second life; dirty recycling can spoil a whole load.
Goes in:
- Cardboard and boxboard
- Paper and paper cartons
- Glass food/beverage bottles and jars
- Metal food/beverage cans
- Clean aluminum foil and containers
- Plastic bottles, containers, tubs, lids
- Plastic single-use cups (no lids/straws)
Stays out:
- Plastic bags and film
- Foam packaging and food containers
- Black plastic
- Food, liquids, soiled containers
- Shredded paper
- Batteries and electronics
- Scrap metal
- Propane tanks
- Clothing and textiles
- Hoses, cords, wrap-around items
- Household hazardous waste
Not sure about something? Check RecycleCT's What's In, What's Out guide instead of guessing.
Beyond the blue bin: the Recycling Center also takes electronics, scrap metal, motor oil, antifreeze, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, printer cartridges, cell phones, clothing, textiles, clean dry mattresses, box springs, leaves, clean wood chips, books, and eyeglasses, all free.
Tires, propane tanks, Freon appliances, bulky items, brush, and demolition material are accepted for a fee; check the Town's current list first.
Household chemicals, paint, and pesticides need an authorized hazardous-waste collection, not the Recycling Center.
🔁 Reduce & Reuse: The Cheapest Trash Is the Trash You Never Make
Before you buy or toss something, ask: can this be refused, reused, borrowed, shared, donated, or repaired instead?
Small swaps that add up:
- Carry reusable bags, bottles, mugs, containers
- Choose durable/refillable over disposable
- Buy only what you'll actually use
- Pick less packaging
- Buy secondhand when it makes sense
- Borrow or rent one-time-use items
- Choose things you can get parts for
Nobody needs a perfect zero-waste household. Start with the one disposable thing you use most, and swap that first.
The Swap Shop is free stuff! Leave what you don't need in good condition, take what you do. Hours vary, so check when you arrive. There's also a book exchange and a spot for clean clothing and textiles.
More places your stuff can go:
- The Litchfield Swap Shop
- The Recycling Center's book/textile collections
- Local food pantries (unopened, unexpired food)
- Prime Finds, Prime Time House's seasonal pop-up
- Local thrift stores and nonprofits
- Neighborhood sharing / Buy Nothing groups
Check the group's current donation guidelines before dropping anything off.
Repair before you replace. A new zipper, cord, switch, or part can buy years of extra life. Watch the Town calendar for Repair Café and Fix-It events, or bring your own repair skills.