Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for Regional Composting Facility and Recycling Infrastructure
Addresses of Possible Project Location: 263 & 311 Olcott Street, Manchester, CT 06040
Municipality where proposed action is to be located: Town of Manchester
Project Description: Utilizing a grant award from the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) through its MMI Grant Program, the Town of Manchester proposes to construct a food waste receiving and processing facility to manage collected food wastes, which will be Phase I of a proposed food scrap recycling program. The facility will be sized to process food scraps from the municipal collection program as well as other municipal, institutional, residential, retail, wholesale, and commercial sources; it is anticipated that this facility will serve as a regional food waste collection point for municipalities east of the Connecticut River.
The Town also proposes the construction of an aerated static pile (ASP) composting facility to compost collected food wastes with leaves and mixed yard wastes. This facility will be Phase II of a proposed onsite food scrap recycling program. Presently, it is anticipated that the ASP facility could manage up to 2,000 tons per year of food waste, but will also be expandable to manage future demand. Finally, the Town proposes the procurement and installation of new equipment to collect and process (i.e., bale) residential plastic film collected at the municipal transfer station as well as from other municipalities in the region.
Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.
Scoping Notice and Post Scoping Notice: DEEP published a Scoping Notice on May 20, 2025 and a Post-Scoping Notice on July 22, 2025 for the proposed regional composting facility in the Environmental Monitor.
Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on: December 5, 2025.
The public can view a copy of the EIE here or at the following locations:
Manchester Town Clerk’s Office
41 Center Street (Town Hall)
Manchester, CT 06045
Manchester Public Library
586 Main Street
Manchester, CT 06040
CT DEEP Headquarters
MMCA Bureau
79 Elm Street, 4th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
If a public hearing is requested by twenty-five or more persons, or by an association having not less than twenty-five persons, DEEP will schedule a public hearing on the EIE. Such requests for a public hearing must be made by contacting the DEEP staff member identified below by October 31, 2025.
Other information: The EIE is also located on DEEP's "Materials Management Infrastructure Grant Program" webpage.
Written comments about this EIE, questions about this EIE, or a request for a public hearing should be sent to:
Name: Michael T. Looney
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127
Phone: 860-424-3530
E-Mail: Michael.Looney@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:
Name: Michael T. Looney
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127
Phone: 860-424-3530
E-Mail: Michael.Looney@ct.gov
What happens next: DEEP will review the comments received and may conduct further environmental study and analysis or amend the evaluation. DEEP will prepare responses to the substantive issues raised in review of and comment on the EIE and any supplemental materials or amendments. Those responses and all supplemental materials and comments shall be made available in a "Record of Decision", which will appear in the Environmental Monitor for public inspection.