With the future plans of the MIRA municipal waste facility remaining uncertain, it is important to consider the possibilities and the voices of stakeholders who should be heard. The area burdened with pollution and subsequent health effects has potential to finally give back to the community. Community voices are calling for change and have voiced their concerns and aspirations for the future (a total of about 74 times over the course of 5 interviews).
Waste management efforts in Hartford have historically burdened low-income communities of color. With all of the health risks that they pose, it is essential that something is done. Hartford has served as a dump for the surrounding area for years, and the community has seen enough. Bermudez asserts, “I would like to see the city of Hartford not continue to be a resource where all of these other towns in Connecticut can come utilize Hartford to dump trash to burn waste.” Swarr agreed that residents “felt we did our duty. It’s time for somebody else […] to have a trash plant.” But something has to happen to the waste and the only options are to burn it or bury it.
“The reality is there’s only two ways to get rid of your trash. You can burn it or you can bury it. There are not going to be any more landfills in Connecticut, so we’re going to have to find some way to treat our waste.”
Thomas Swarr
However there seems to be a disconnect emerging between those responsible for repurposing – such as the MDA board, local officials, and MIRA representatives – and community members who will be most affected. Sister Pat, a Hartford resident, expressed interest in remediation, wanting to “rip up all the asphalt and concrete. (1:25:33)” Tom Swarr, a member of the MIRA Dissolution Board, asserted, “You may not tear down any of these buildings. You may not do anything to this parking lot because that’s capping the pollution that’s there. (27:08)” As for repurposing, both Pedro Bermudez and Yahaira Escribano mentioned affordable or mixed-income housing. There are also varying standards for remediation. Repurposing the site into residential neighborhoods, which some local officials and stakeholders have proposed in addition to community members, would require much more detoxification and funding than leaving the site as is or converting it into a trash sorting facility as Swarr suggests. Swarr then noted, “There’s this myth that we’re going to redevelop that property. It won’t happen. (26:45)”
Participants also pointed out the lack of communication and awareness regarding the future of the site. Tom Swarr explained, “things were not being communicated to the community. (12:33)”, and both Swarr and Yahaira Escribano mentioned a lack of dissemination of information from the Mayor specifically while many even admitted not knowing about the trash incinerator until recently. So, how do we properly disseminate information? Several participants, including Diana Heymann, mentioned flyers, phone calls, and social media. Spreading awareness is not the only difficult battle. For many, environmental justice remains a lower priority compared to their day-to-day struggles. As Pedro Bermudez notes,
“If I’m being absolutely real, we live our lives. We’re busy. We have all these things going on. All of us. And I think paying attention to fundamental issues that are affecting our community is something that, if you miss it, you don’t really know what’s going on.”
The government has weaponized knowledge, or more specifically the lack thereof. With the public largely unaware of the MIRA facility, its consequences, and possibilities for remediation and redevelopment, governing bodies can effectively bypass public opinion in considering the future. However, Hartford residents want to be included in these conversations. Despite the lack of awareness and consensus, the one thing each participant mentioned was the desire to engage with local communities and consider their opinions. Tom Swarr, in his years of experience volunteering in Hartford, commented “I don’t think the city was that interested in having resident input. […] It felt like we were out in the desert shouting to no response. (5:13)” The city has the chance to redeem itself. Hartford resident Diana Heymann expressed wanting “the people to be empowered (30:54)” and Pedro Bermudez said he hopes “that our folks, our residents, have a say in what happens. (14:21)” Whether or not remediation and redevelopment are possible, local community members should be involved in the discussion instead of being left in the dark as they have seen thus far.