• Connecticut disposes of 2.4 million tons of trash annually, an estimated 1,370 pounds of trash per person per year (source: CT Dept of Energy and Environmental protection)
   
• More than 96 percent of the food we throw away ends up in landfill 
  (source: US Environmental Protection Agency)
   
• Every ton of mixed paper recycled can save the energy equivalent of 165 gallons of gasoline (source: US Environmental Protection Agency)

The museum’s interactive exhibits are geared towards inspiring you to reduce your carbon footprint. The first floor begins with the “Temple of Trash”, a huge display of cartons, cans, bottles, electronics and other rubbish. The purpose is to explain the hazards of disposal and the raw garbage dumps. This area is appealing to the eye and tempting to touch, but it is not allowed. Once you get past this, you can touch away.

The highlight for my group is the recycling conveyer belt. Dressing up in hard hats and vests, they take turns emptying blue bins of plastics up and down the belt. The lure of the activity kept leading the little ones back to this room.

The craft area allows you to get creative with junk. We decorated masks from used food cartons and paint stirrers. The kids colored and glued on various items such as feathers, scrap paper, pipe cleaners, and garbage truck stickers.

The true magic happens on the second floor. Dubbed the “skybox viewing area," you can view actual construction vehicles moving in recycled items to the processing area. Workers sort the matter to make new products, and the kids watch with amazement as the dirty work gets done.

I visited with children ages 2-6. I feel the 5-6 range is able to appreciate it more, especially with the ability to read signs and play computer games. There is a plethora of interesting facts and figures posted throughout.

At $4 per person, (under 2 are free), it is a reasonable way to educate and entertain all ages. We spent about two hours at the museum, and we absolutely got our money’s worth. The open hours are a little tricky, especially with naps to consider.

• July through August - Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm
• September through June – Wednesday through Friday 12pm-4pm

The museum offers tours and themed birthday parties starting at $200. Included are a mini tour and your choice of puppet show, crafts, composting, games and stories.

If you are searching for lunch or a snack after your visit, a short 1.5 mile drive east brings you to Franklin Avenue, Hartford’s Little Italy. Franklin Giant Grinder is one of the tastiest sandwich shops around, and Modern Pastry and Mozzicato’s have each been serving up authentic cookies, pastries, breads and other Italian delicacies for a generation.

CRRA Trash Museum
211 Murphy Road
Hartford, CT 06114
860-757-7765

Franklin Giant Grinder
464 Franklin Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114
860-296-6574

Modern Pastry
422 Franklin Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114
860-296-7628

Mozzicato’s
329 Franklin Ave
Hartford, CT 06114
860-296-0426