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Trash and recyling tips

From the Vernon Solid Waste Committee:

Dear Vernon Residents,

With the closing of the  C.O.W (composting organic waste) dumpsters at the town garage for the time being, here are a few things to know that will help until the situation is resolved.

State regulations  (Act 148) do not allow food scraps to get to the landfill. This means that they should not be put into the PAYT trash bags in Vernon.

There are however certain exceptions to this and other methods for disposal.

  1. If you home compost your vegetable based kitchen scraps, you are allowed to dispose of your animal based scraps in the PAYT trash bags.
  2. If you do not home compost, then you may take your compostable waste to the Windham Solid Waste Management District drop off location at 327 Old Ferry Road in Brattleboro. Drop off is free but you will need to purchase a sticker ($40/year- July 2020 to June 2021) to use the facility. This sticker also allows you to recycle many different materials with little or no fees for the service ( go to https://windhamsolidwaste.org/) for details. Click here for info on what you can and can not compost at WSWMD.
  3. If you would like to start home composting WSWMD has backyard composter bins for $55 ( about half the cost of buying elsewhere) as well as kitchen compost collectors for $10.
  4. If you are new to composting, WSWMD has lots of information on their website (https://windhamsolidwaste.org/) to help you start. (For example, this how to page, and this troubleshooting page.) It is easy, takes little time and effort and will provide you with great compost to put on your garden or give to a friend. Done correctly there is little or no smell and the compost bins will not be attractive to animals.
  5. Composting is something that can be done by groups as well as individuals. Ask your neighbors if they would like to compost together. WSWMD has information on establishing community composting sites, and larger capacity composters.
  6. You may also contact commercial trash haulers to dispose of your waste and a few offer food scrap collection for a fee.

Please note that the state does not allow the outside burning of garbage or trash.

The Solid Waste Committee and the Vernon Select Board are committed to come up with a solution to resolve this issue.

Munson Hicks, Vice Chairman, Vernon Waste management Committee.

(Committee members: Carol Campbell; Munson Hicks, Vice Chair; Don Rosinski, Sandra Rulewich, Chair, Bob Spencer, Clerk; June Taylor; Bob Uccello)