More than 25 years ago, the Town of New Milford opened its first Recycling Center in the area. Originally an unpaved, one-man operation, the Center has expanded dramatically not only to keep up with modern practices but to offer conveniences and services that go above and beyond.

Usage of the Center has also increased dramatically as programs are added. “Recycling” now includes not only the mandatory recyclables such as “Single Stream” items, but bulky waste, household trash, metal, tires, propane tanks, clothing, mattresses and “E-Waste.”

“Single Stream” is a collection system in which recyclables are fully commingled, mixing fiber materials such as paper and cardboard with food containers such as glass bottles, metal cans and plastics. This makes recycling much easier for people at home because these items no longer have to be sorted. The Single System was such a success that a second container was added for this purpose.

“E-Waste” is defined as computers, printers and televisions but these are only part of the consumer electronics waste stream that includes VCRs, radios and cell phones, all of which are accepted at the Center.

For many years, the Center was not financially self-sustaining. As a result of committee input and management focus, the town decided to outsource the running of the center through a Public, Private partnership. In October 2020, the town contracted with Three Veterans LLC to run the center

The recycling business evolves on almost a daily basis. The Town is a Member of a regional organization, the Housatonic Resource and Recovery Authority (“HRRA”) that, among other things, helps identify new programs.