Financial Information
This page includes information about how we are funded, our current budget, grants we offer, plus forms and other finance-related resources.
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How CSWD is Funded
CSWD is not funded by Income, Sales, or Property taxes. Our revenue comes from four primary sources.
1. Sales of material we collect and process at our facilities
This includes revenue received from:
- Blue-Bin Recycling that’s sorted, minimally processed, and sold by the Materials Recovery Facility
- Green Mountain Compost produced at the Organics Recycling Facility
- Sales of Local Color Paint made from paint recycled at the Environmental Depot
- Sales of Special Materials such as scrap metal managed through our Drop-Off Centers.
2. User fees on incoming material at our facilities
These are fees we charge customers who drop off Trash, Hazardous Waste, Blue-Bin Recycling, Organics, and Special Materials for us to manage appropriately.
3. The Solid Waste Management Fee (SWMF)
This is a fee we charge on every ton of trash that is generated in Chittenden County and goes to a landfill. This fee is incorporated into the fee at transfer stations and the landfill. CSWD does not determine any other fees charged by facilities we do not own or operate.
4. State Grants & Reimbursements
A small, variable percentage of our funding comes from State grants for hazardous waste and other materials management, and reimbursements for Product Stewardship programs.
CSWD Budget
CSWD follows a July 1 to June 30 Fiscal Year.
Budget Development
The Finance Committee of the CSWD Board of Commissioners reviews the proposed budget for the next fiscal year during meetings held generally between February and March. At the end of this process the draft budget is brought to the Board of Commissioners to approve for adoption.
The legislative bodies of CSWD’s member communities then have 45 days to approve or disapprove the District’s budget; the budget becomes effective once approved by a majority of member communities.
Grants & Funding Available
Community Clean Up Fund
CSWD’s budget includes an annual allocation for each CSWD member town or city for community cleanup and waste reduction or prevention projects.
Clean Up Funds may be used for:
- Clean up projects
- Waste reduction events or projects
- Waste prevention events or projects
The member town/city’s CSWD Commissioner must approve the project. Details of the complete process and project qualifications can be found here.
Waste Reduction Grants
CSWD is offering $15,000.00 in Waste Reduction Grants in FY2025 for reimbursement of expenses incurred for qualifying projects by CSWD member towns and cities, 501(c)(3) organizations, businesses, and institutions. The purpose of the Waste Reduction Grants is to increase the diversion of recyclables and compostables from landfills via innovative, sustainable projects that serve an unmet need, and/or by improving the infrastructure—recycling and food scrap collection bins—available to the general public.
Financial Forms
Credit Application