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It was a day to celebrate a young girl’s idea that sparked a whole new avenue of recycling for Branford and the state.
Politicians, family and friends gathered Tuesday afternoon at Branford’s Transfer Station to honor Etta Hanlon for her idea to recycle Christmas wrappings. Dan McGowan, director of the Transfer and Recycling Station, was also honored for helping make the idea a reality. Etta’s program is the first of its kind in the state.
It all began last fall when Etta, a 15-year-old sophomore at Branford High School, asked town leaders for permission to start a recycling program for holiday wrapping paper. Click here to read about that. Within four months, the plan was put into action and about 18 tons of wrapping paper and holiday cards were collected in special recycling bags. Towns have to pay for trash removal and incineration, but they make money by selling recyclables. So Etta’s plan was good for both the environment and town coffers.
“I hope to make the program even bigger,” Etta told the Eagle. She said she never expected her project would become so expansive. “The fact it has grown to this size and affected so many people, is really exciting.”
But it took time and planning to make the project work. Click here to read about that.
In an unusual turn of events, the article in the Eagle about Etta’s project caught the eye of an editor of the Oxford University Press who wanted to use portions of the story in an Italian textbook for children learning English. The Eagle agreed. So the story of Etta recycling (saving) Christmas wrapping paper really became international.
Celebrating A Good Idea
Diana Stricker Photo
“I’m glad we’re recognizing Etta’s leadership,” said First Selectman James Cosgrove. “Etta took action and she sought out Dan (McGowan) and together they came up with this program.” Cosgrove thanked the state legislators for recognizing their efforts and honoring them with certificates.
“We’re so proud of you,” Sen. Edward Meyer, D‑12th, told Etta. “This has been a remarkable week for recycling in Connecticut.”
In the final hours of the legislative session, the House and Senate approved a bill last week that will increase the state’s recycling rate, which is currently 25 percent. The goal is to recycle or reuse 60 percent of the state’s trash by 2024.
Meyer said Etta’s project fits quite well into that goal. “We’re going to make this a program far beyond Branford,” he told Etta. “You started something.” Meyer said he will ask Etta to come to Hartford next year to talk to the state legislature about recycling.
Meyer presented Etta with a citation from the state saying, “We commend you for your ingenuity and your thoughtful care for this community.”
Etta thanked everyone who encouraged her and helped make the recycling program a success. “This project would have never been possible without a large group of people,” she said. A total of 4,000 special recycling bags were distributed throughout the town.
Diana Stricker Photo
State Rep. Lonnie Reed, D‑Branford, presented a citation to McGowan for his role in the Holiday Recycling Program. “Dan didn’t turn this incredible young woman away. He helped her make it happen,” she said.
“It was very successful,” McGowan said of the program that diverted about 18 tons of wrapping paper and greeting cards from the trash stream.
State Rep. Pat Widlitz, D‑Branford and Guilford, spoke about the importance of recycling. In her tenure, she worked to create statewide recycling programs for electronics, mattresses and paint.
“It’s so important to continue that effort and to encourage our young people,” Widlitz said.
Etta previously told the Eagle the idea first formulated when she noticed that lots of holiday wrapping paper was just being tossed into plastic bags and put at the curb. She wondered if it could be recycled instead. So she talked to her dad, Doug Hanlon, a member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and then chair of its Public Services Committee. He thought it was a great idea, and contacted McGowan. In September, Etta and McGowan presented the idea to the RTM and immediately got its approval.
And the rest is history.
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