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Food scraps

It is illegal to dispose of this item in the trash in Chittenden County, VT.

Disposal options

Backyard options

  • Composting: You can compost most food scraps in a backyard composting bin or pile. Avoid putting meat and dairy scraps in backyard systems, as they do not reach high enough temperatures to kill pathogens.
  • Digesting: A food scrap digester (like the Green Cone) can handle any food scraps, including meat & dairy. It does not produce usable compost.

View more detail: Backyard options for managing food scraps

Drop-Off Composting

Beginning 1/1/22: Compostable foodware no longer accepted. Click for details.

  • Small quantities of any food or food scraps (including meat, bones & dairy),  and beverages may be dropped off in the food scrap bins at CSWD Drop-Off Centers.
  • Large quantities (over 30 gallons) should be brought directly to CSWD’s Organics Recycling Facility (home of Green Mountain Compost).

Compost pick-up

Cost

CSWD Drop-Off Centers

  • With trash: No fee
  • Without trash: $1.00 per 5-gal container (30 gallon limit)

CSWD Organics Recycling Facility (home of Green Mountain Compost) 

  • Under 30 gallons: No fee
  • 30+ gallons: Tip fees may apply; $5 minimum

 

Limitations, regulations and other specifications

As of July 1, 2020, all food scraps must be kept out or your trash and the landfill.

Drop-off composting limits

  • The drop-off composting program is for residents and small commercial generators only.
  • Check the list of Items Accepted for Drop-Off Composting to make sure your material is accepted.
  • There is a daily limit of 30 gallons of food scraps per customer.
    For volumes over this amount, please contact our Organics Recycling Facility (home of Green Mountain Compost) at (802) 660-4949.

Notes

Act 148, Vermont’s Universal Recycling & Composting Law, requires diversion of food waste from the landfill.

The requirement is phased in between 2014 and July 1, 2020, when all food scraps will be banned from landfill disposal. For more information about the requirement of Act 148 and the timeline for compliance, visit the Act 148 page.

Reduce food waste

Visit Reducing Food Waste for lots of resources—including downloadable PDFs and videos—on storing and preserving food, recipe resources, and much more.

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