Solid Waste
Overview
The BCRC provides assistance to municipalities in the areas of solid waste planning and hazardous waste collection event management.
The Towns of Arlington, Dorset, Manchester, Rupert, Sandgate, and Sunderland partner together to hold Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events twice annually. These events are managed by the BCRC under an agreement between the municipalities and the BCRC. The Towns of Shaftsbury, Pownal, and Stamford work together to hold HHW collection events. With the exception of Stamford, which has a separate Solid Waste Implementation Plan, the eight Towns listed above comprise the BCRC Regional Solid Waste Implementation Plan.
The Towns of Bennington and Woodford hold joint HHW collection events, and have a joint Solid Waste Implementation Plan.
Plans
Solid waste in Bennington County is managed through a network of regional, municipal and private arrangements. Some is managed within the county and other materials are disposed of elsewhere in Vermont or out of state. To comply with state law, BCRC worked with the Towns of Arlington, Dorset, Manchester, Rupert, Pownal, Sandgate, Shaftsbury, and Sunderland to complete a Solid Waste Implementation Plan or SWIP in 2008. The principal purpose of this plan is to implement projects that will reduce the amount of material sent to landfills or incinerators by encouraging recycling and reuse. The plan is available for download.
The Town of Stamford has its own SWIP.
The Towns of Bennington and Woodford have a joint SWIP.
Household Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste or HHW are products that are sold over the counter but are labeled as hazardous. Examples include toilet bowl and oven cleaners, herbicides, pesticides and many automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze. These products are toxic, corrosive, reactive, explosive and/or flammable. may cause burns or blindness. If ingested, these products can cause nausea or shortness of breath. In addition, such materials are harmful to the environment. Key warnings on labels may be that the substances are dangerous or poisonous and/or should be used with caution.
These materials cannot be disposed with the trash. BCRC and the Towns of Shaftsbury, Pownal and Stamford hold HHW events twice a year to allow residents to dispose of these substances free of charge. Business may also participate if the amount of material they generate is limited. Notices of these events will be posted on this website.
Composting
The BCRC holds periodic compost bin sales to promote and encourage composting by households, businesses, and schools. Bins are purchased in bulk in order to minimize the cost to residents. Bins are also for sale at many vendors, both in the area and elsewhere.