Despite a company’s assurances about using only modern technology, its proposed trash-processing plant in Connecticut hit a wall of public opposition when residents recently voted 10-1 against the idea. The non-binding Plainfield referendum doesn’t stop the Smart Technologies LLC proposal, because the state government — not the town — has authority over it. But the lopsided result shows that despite an extensive public outreach campaign, Smart Technologies still faces a steep uphill battle to build local support. Only 12% of the town voted, but gave the project a resounding defeat: 1,148 to just 125. The company wants to build an unconventional trash-to-energy plant on about 81 acres near Route 12 and Route 14. Unlike typical trash-burning incinerators, this facility would employ “gasification” — a process of break down garbage into gases, which would power a turbine and generate electricity for the power grid. Smart Technologies contends the system doesn’t generate the smoke and ash associated with trash incinerators, and wouldn’t be an environmental hazard. The company, a partnership of O & G Industries and Advanced Waste Technologies International, contends its system can separate hazardous materials as well as recyclable metal and glass from a stream of municipal trash. It directs organic material to an anaerobic digester that produces a biogas capable of being converted into natural gas, and can separately process methane and carbon dioxide to prevent pollution.
https://www.courant.com/2025/06/10/the-proposal-is-for-a-high-tech-trash-plant-for-many-eastern-ct-residents-thats-a-hard-no/