Vermonters throw away approximately 60,000 tons of food and food scraps each year. The State’s Agency of Natural Resources wants to cut that number by 33% and will be offering $975,000 in grants to solid waste districts and municipalities to manage food scraps more sustainability.
Eligible projects include:
- Composting Facilities – pads, aeration, buildings, processing equipment
- Anaerobic Digestion Facilities – buildings, tanks, processing equipment
- Organics Transfer Stations – pads, buildings, processing equipment
“Vermont DEC is pleased to provide funding to support the growth of composting and anaerobic digester facilities that help reduce our dependence on landfills and put our waste to work” said DEC Commissioner Emily Boedecker. “Investing in these operations will have a tremendous impact on sustainable waste management in Vermont. This work is not only important, it’s urgent because food scraps won’t be allowed in trash cans and landfills after July 1, 2020.”
Many people are surprised to learn that throwing food scraps into the trash contributes to climate change. Food waste emits greenhouse gases in landfills. If every Vermonter composted their food waste, it would be the same as taking over 7,000 vehicles off the road each year.
Vermont’s Universal Recycling law (Act 148) unanimously passed the Legislature in 2012 to help Vermonters reduce waste, boost recycling, increase food donation, and promote composting.
“Universal Recycling is working. Where closed municipal landfills stood or were proposed to be built, composting facilities now exist like Lamoille Soil in Johnson, Grow Compost in Hartland, and Windham Solid Waste District’s site in Brattleboro. Here they turn what used to be waste into a resource to grow food and build healthy soil,” said Cathy Jamieson, DEC Solid Waste Program Manager.
Grant eligibility information can be found at http://www.vermontbusinessregistry.com/BidPreview.aspx?BidID=33785
Learn more about Vermont’s Universal Recycling law at www.vtrecycles.com, and by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @VTrecycles. To learn more about recycling and composting opportunities near you visit www.802recycles.com to find your local waste management entity.