Vermont's Annual Plastic Waste: A Concerning Issue

Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, with an estimated 350 million tons of plastic waste produced annually. While the exact amount of plastic waste in Vermont is unclear, the state has implemented several initiatives to address the problem. Vermont's Universal Recycling Law, for instance, mandates that all residents, businesses, schools, and institutions must recycle specific materials, and the state also offers tips to help individuals reduce their waste and recycling. Additionally, Vermont has a successful Bottle Bill recycling program and passed Act 69 in 2019, which bans certain single-use plastic products.

Vermont's Universal Recycling Law

The law outlines specific requirements for both residents and businesses in Vermont. It bans three major categories of materials from trash bins: empty and rinsed containers like bottles, cans, and jars; paper, boxboard, and cardboard; and recyclables such as aluminium foil, cans, glass bottles, and plastics #1 and #2. These materials are prohibited from landfills, and all residents, businesses, schools, and institutions must recycle them. The law also includes a "Pay-As-You-Throw" system, where waste collectors charge based on the volume or weight of trash, incentivizing residents to produce less waste.

To make recycling more accessible, the law mandates that any trash container in a public space, such as city streets, parks, and schools, must be accompanied by a recycling container. Additionally, it introduces a phased-in food scrap ban, with businesses and institutions that generate large amounts of food waste required to keep it out of landfills. This approach has increased the demand for food scrap pick-up services and encouraged investments in food scrap collection infrastructure.

The Universal Recycling Law also addresses food waste, encouraging Vermonters to reduce food waste by donating surplus food to those in need, using it for animal feed, or creating compost and renewable energy products. By 2020, all organic waste, including food waste and yard debris, was required to be diverted from landfills. Trash collection sites, such as transfer stations, must collect blue-bin recycling and food scraps, and trash pick-up companies must offer combined recycling and trash pick-up services at a single fee.

Vermont's waste recycling programs

Vermont's Universal Recycling Law, enacted in 2012 and amended in 2018 and 2019, outlines how residents and businesses should handle food waste to achieve the greater good. The law requires that all Vermont towns charge for trash based on volume or weight, similar to electricity billing. Public spaces, such as streets and parks, must provide recycling containers alongside trash bins.

The law also mandates that trash collection sites, such as transfer stations, offer blue-bin recycling and food scrap collection. Trash pick-up services must provide recycling collection and charge a combined fee for trash and recycling to encourage recycling among households. Additionally, they must offer food scrap collection to non-residential customers and apartment buildings with at least four units.

Vermont's recycling programs accept various materials for recycling, including aluminum foil and cans, steel cans, glass bottles and jars, paper, cardboard, and plastics #1 and #2. Containers should be empty and rinsed, while paper, boxboard, and cardboard should be clean and dry. Cardboard boxes larger than 2 feet must be broken down and folded.

Vermont aims to increase its recycling rate, which is currently at 35%, similar to the national average. By recycling, composting, and reusing, Vermont can significantly reduce its landfill waste. Food scraps in landfills contribute to methane gas emissions, a potent driver of climate change. Instead, food waste can be used to feed hungry Vermonters, support local egg production, or generate renewable energy.

Food waste and composting

Food waste is a significant contributor to climate change. When food scraps are dumped in landfills, they decompose slowly and release methane, a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years. According to Project Drawdown, uneaten food accounts for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing food waste is crucial for mitigating climate change.

Vermont has recognized the importance of addressing food waste and has implemented several initiatives to promote composting and reduce food waste. The state's Universal Recycling Law outlines a strategy for prioritizing food waste management, including a phased-in food scrap ban for businesses and institutions that generate large amounts of food waste. Vermont also offers various resources to encourage residents to compost their food waste. The Department of Environmental Conservation provides tips on reducing waste, such as planning meals before shopping and storing leftovers in clear containers. They also offer information on local composting initiatives and drop-off locations through their website and social media pages.

To facilitate composting, Vermonters can purchase backyard compost bins from hardware stores, home improvement retailers, or online. Additionally, solid waste districts and towns may provide free workshops and discounted bins. The state also mandates that waste collectors charge based on trash volume or weight, incentivizing residents to produce less waste. Vermont has also implemented a "Pay-As-You-Throw" system, similar to paying for electricity consumption, where residents can save money by generating less trash.

Composting food waste has multiple benefits. It creates rich soil amendments for gardens and farms, supports local food systems, and reduces pollution in water runoff. It also helps divert waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions and conserving landfill space. Vermonters can drop off their food scraps at transfer stations, bag-drops, or compost facilities across the state. Some residents even use food scrap machines to process their food waste before composting or dropping it off at local facilities.

By composting and diverting food waste from landfills, Vermont is taking significant steps toward reducing its environmental impact and mitigating climate change. These initiatives not only benefit the environment but also support the local community and promote sustainability.

Public space recycling

Vermont's Universal Recycling Law, passed in 2012, has helped to improve the state's recycling rates and reduce waste. The law includes a number of measures to make recycling more accessible and convenient for residents, with a particular focus on public space recycling.

The Universal Recycling Law also outlines specific guidelines for what can be recycled and how it should be prepared. All Vermont recycling programs accept aluminum foil and cans, steel cans, glass bottles and jars, paper, cardboard, and plastics #1 and #2 recyclables. These materials are banned from landfills and must be recycled by all residents, businesses, schools, and institutions. Containers should be empty and rinsed clean, and paper, boxboard, and cardboard should be clean and dry. Large cardboard boxes should be broken down and folded to save space.

Vermont also has a "Pay-As-You-Throw" system, where residents are charged based on the volume or weight of their trash. This provides an incentive to produce less waste and recycle more, as people can save money by recycling and reducing their overall trash output.

The state provides resources to help residents and businesses understand and comply with the Universal Recycling Law. This includes the “How Can I Waste Less?” webpage, which offers tips to reduce trash and recycling, and the Materials Management Map, which helps users find transfer stations and recycling centers in their area. Additionally, the "What Do I Do With This...?" page provides information on state-wide drop-off recycling programs for items like electronics, batteries, and paint.

Cigarette filters and single-use plastic

Vermont's Universal Recycling Law outlines how businesses and residents should manage their waste, especially food waste, to achieve the greater good. The law includes unit-based pricing or "pay-as-you-throw", public space recycling, and a phased-in food scrap ban. However, only about 35% of Vermont's waste is recycled, composted, or reused, which is on par with the national average recycling rate.

To address this issue, Vermont has implemented initiatives such as the "Straws Upon Request Pledge," a statewide campaign to reduce single-use plastic straws, and Act 69, which bans plastic carryout bags, plastic drink stirrers, and expanded polystyrene food service products. Despite these efforts, there are still concerns about single-use tobacco products, specifically cigarette filters, which are large contributors to plastic pollution and litter in Vermont and worldwide.

Cigarette filters are filled with toxins and non-biodegradable plastic, posing risks to both public health and the environment. The U.S. Surgeon General has stated that cigarette filters may contribute to higher lung cancer risks for smokers. Additionally, the filters shed microfibers and leach toxic chemicals into the environment. Vermont should aim to reduce the amount of virgin material in products and find reuses for items after their useful life to decrease waste generation in the state.

While California's Single-Use Vape and Tobacco Ban (AB-1690) originally included cigarette filters, they were later removed from the legislation. This was met with disappointment by organizations such as Ocean Conservancy, who highlighted that cigarette butts, containing single-use plastic filters, made up about 30% of the trash collected by volunteers across California on Coastal Cleanup Day in 2020. Vermont could consider similar legislation or producer take-back programs to reduce pollution caused by single-use tobacco products.

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