Are you wondering how to recycle in Vermont? Recycling has been mandatory in Vermont for many years. So, you would think that recycling would be an easy thing to do here in the Green Mountain State. But, depending on where you live, it's not as easy as you'd think.
Recycling in Vermont
The first thing to understand is that, unlike big cities where garbage removal is down by the town or state, in Vermont, garbage and recycling removal is handled by individual private haulers.
To further complicate the matter, there are county waste districts and in some cases town transfer stations that allow residents to drop off their own recycling. Exactly what options are available to you will depend on what town you live in.
Vermont has a universal recycling law
In 2012, Vermont passed a universal recycling law that required all items marked with the recycling symbol to be properly recycled. It also required people to recycle leaf and yard debris, clean wood and food scraps. It's actually against the law to throw these into the trash.
If you bring your own trash to the landfill, you must separate these items and put them in the appropriate recycling bins. If you pay for private pickup at your home, you must place recyclables in the blue recycling bins. And, leaf and yard debris, as well as food scraps, must be composted.
What plastics can be recycled in Vermont?
You must recycle clean plastic food containers like yogurt tubs, margarine, and cottage cheese containers. Beverage bottles as well as personal care and laundry care bottles must be recycled as well.
It's important that they be clean when you put them in the recycling to help keep the purity of the recycled plastic as high as possible.
Is recycling a law in Vermont for everyone?
Yes, whether you are a business, property owner, or renter, you must recycle these items. If your landlord does not offer recycling bins at your rental, you will need to bring these items to the solid waste district in your area.
All businesses and people must recycle and compost in the state of Vermont.
Is it illegal to not compost in Vermont?
Yes, as of July 1, 2020, the Governor made it a law that everyone must compost all food scraps. You cannot throw these into the garbage. A simple small composting bucket is easy to keep on the counter.
It can be emptied into an outside compost pile or brought to your local landfill. There are also some composting services that will pick up the compost from your home for a fee if you live in a larger town like Rutland or Burlington.
Can you recycle plastic bags?
Vermont has banned single-use plastic bags. If you have plastic bags from produce or packaging, they cannot be recycled. Do not put them in your recycling bins as they will get tangled up in the machines.
What about tech recycling?
Computers, televisions, radios, and other e-waste can be brought to your local solid waste district for recycling. There is sometimes a fee for this type of recycling. Many centers offer a special day once or twice a year where this type of waste is accepted at no charge.
How do you dispose of hazardous waste?
Hazardous waste including lightbulbs, batteries, some cleaning products, car waste, and paint needs to be taken to your local solid waste district. Many centers have limits on what type of waste they accept and on what days you can bring it in. It's always best to call ahead and find out what the rules are.
Learn more about recycling in Vermont.
What are your thoughts on recycling in Vermont?