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Report: Vermonters could reduce trash by half
Mike Swift and his son Olin, 2, go to the transfer center in Strafford every Saturday. Their bagged garbage is loaded into a truck to be hauled away. Photo by Medora Hebert/Valley NewsA report on...
View ArticleRecycling bill might, ultimately, be too much of a good thing
Jon Margolis is VTDigger.org’s political analyst. It may have seemed a bit peculiar when three senators endangered passage of a bill they do not oppose by inserting two amendments that could doom the...
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How Milton’s tire mountain became the symbol of an environmental issue fought...
The entrance to Rhoades Salvage in Milton. Photo by Audrey Clark If you’re looking for Gilbert Rhoades’ salvage yard, you’ll find it after Route 7 makes its wide turn north toward Milton proper. Right...
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Legislative preview: Bottle bill is on the chopping block; new proposal would...
Bobby Martino does the multi-bottle sort at M&M Beverage and Redemption Center. VTDigger file photo Recycling, water quality and land development permitting are among lawmakers’ top environmental...
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Changes in bottle bill likely headed for scrap heap
A bin full of mixed glass bottles at the TOMRA recycling facility in Essex Junction. Photo by John Herrick/VTDigger Environmental groups and beverage redemption centers joined arms Thursday to oppose...
View ArticleConsultant floats the idea of placing fee on makers of plastic packaging
An environmental consultant previously hired by the state has suggested placing a “broad-based fee” on plastic packaging materials sold in Vermont to support the state’s transition to new recycling...
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Legislative Wrap: In environmental matters, GMO and toxic chemical bills...
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin on Thursday signed Vermont’s first-in-the-nation GMO labeling bill into law on the Statehouse steps in Montpelier. Joining him was Brigid Armbrust, 11, of West Hartford (in...
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Moretown Landfill revises groundwater cleanup plan
A bulldozer pushes sand over trash at the Moretown Landfill. Photo by Audrey Clark/for VTDiggerOperations at the Moretown Landfill, including cleanup, are stuck in a holding pattern while the state...
View ArticleState moves forward with organic waste diversion
The Agency of Natural Resources on Wednesday released a management plan in preparation for the phase-in of the state’s Universal Recycling Law. The first requirement of the phased-in program takes...
View ArticleBulk compost sales are now tax exempt
Compost, planting mixes and manure are now exempt from the state’s sales tax as part of changes to the miscellaneous tax law, Act 148, which took effect Tuesday. These exemptions apply to clean,...
View ArticleTrash Haulers: Oppose increase to the franchise tax
Editor’s note: This commentary is a letter signed by Clean Green Sanitation, Gauthiers Trucking, Mr. Bults Inc. (MBI), Austin’s Rubbish & Roll-Off Service, Franklin & Son Rubbish Removal,...
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Vermont’s ‘C’ grade for infrastructure shows little progress in 5 years
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Vermont’s infrastructure an overall grade of “C” during a news conference at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger...
View ArticleLissa Schneckenburger: Zero waste challenge highlights packaging problems
Editor’s note: Lissa Schneckenburger, of Brattleboro, is a musician, parent, and activist. Open letter to Gov. Phil Scott: I am concerned about the cost of Vermont’s landfill and recycling system,...
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Haulers, district operators face staffing challenges for safe trash disposal
A sign at the entrance to the Chittenden Solid Waste District drop-off site in Burlington says the facility will be closed until further notice. Photo by Mark Johnson/VTDigger VTDigger is posting...
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Burlington eyes potential new waste drop-off center in South End
Bales of plastic bottles await collection outside Chittenden Solid Waste District's material recovery facility. File photo by Elizabeth Gribkoff/VTDigger Burlington could open a new waste drop-off...
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Bethel Royalton Transfer Station in transition that could see a co-owner town...
Jim Hybl, of Rochester, unloads a truck full of trash into a container at the Bethel Royalton Transfer Station in Royalton on Friday, March 11, 2022. The building, in the background, where bulk trash...
View ArticlePaul Ruess: Vote ‘yes’ on Chittenden County solid waste bond
This commentary was written by Paul Ruess, board chair of the Chittenden Solid Waste District. We are a state full of committed citizens who care about the future of our planet and the preservation of...
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Vermont is not meeting its goal of recycling and composting half its waste
Employees of Casella Waste Systems sort plastic recyclables at the Chittenden Solid Waste District's "material recovery facility." File photo by Elizabeth Gribkoff/VTDigger Vermont is still not...
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Vermont gets a C on latest 'infrastructure report card’
The report identifies wastewater as the only aspect of the state’s infrastructure that is in “poor” condition, with a D-plus grade. File photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDigger Vermont’s infrastructure is...
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After the flooding, trash is piling up
A cyclist records debris lining Main Street in Montpelier in the wake of last week’s flooding on Wednesday, July 18, 2023. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger Vermont officials have waived limits on the...
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