Trumbull's Recycling Coordinator Reflects on Her 'Dream Job'

As the year-long experiment with the solid waste (garbage) and recycling coordinator ends, former Coordinator Robin Bennett said she's improved the town.

"I think the experiment went well," said Bennett, while recently demonstrating improvements to TEaM Transfer Station (Trumbull, Easton and Monroe Transfer Station). The job was called an "experiment" by a Board of Finance member.

Bennett, of Naugatuck, was a recycling analyst for the state before she was hired for Trumbull's position, which was created for the 2012-2013 town budget. She jumped at the chance in 2012 and would do so again.

“I want to continue my career in the business of working toward zero waste,” she said.

Bennett recalled that in the beginning, "I really had to invent the job. I took field trips on the recycling trucks."

She also hung out at the transfer station to learn the operation and monitor the work there.

The other parts of the job were education, involving school programs; recycling displays, which can be seen in Town Halll; new signs at the TEaM Transfer Station; and inspections. The town also sold composting containers.

She added new recycling signs in the cafeteria at Trumbull High School and arranged for recycling-themed performances for younger elementary students and in-class programs for older elementary students.

Bennett said she also established a contract for a New York company to buy discarded electronics from the town.

"We were never paid before. This is a new contract," Bennett said.

As for unfinished business, Bennett still has ideas to increase recycling and awareness in town.

For one, she said she wanted to set up a program with the Trumbull Agriscience School.

Education was one of the most important parts of the coordinator job, according to Bennett. "It's been very successful and that's going to fall completely by the wayside and that's sad," she said.