The May 20th Field Trip
On Tuesday, May 20, 2008 the Greenwich Citizen's Committee sponsored a field trip to Burlington, VT to see innovative waste reduction, recycling, and reuse programs
We visited the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) and ReCycle North. Both organizations provided orientations to their programs, answered questions, and provided tours of some of their facilities.
About the Organizations Featured on This Field Trip
Formed in 1987, the CHITTENDEN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT has historically been on the cutting edge of solid waste management in Vermont. In 2007 its recycling efforts kept over 50,000 tons of recyclables from being wasted in landfills. Though private haulers provide curbside collections for the county's 155,000 residents, the district is able to capture 65 percent of the recyclable materials in its waste stream. It provides every household with a blue box for recyclables and about 90 percent of county residents put out recyclables at least monthly. CSWD's operating funds come mainly from a per ton fee on solid waste generated in the county, fees paid by users, and revenues from sales of recyclables.
We made stops at several CSWD facilities, including one of its Drop-Off Centers (like Washington County transfer stations), which each have a Re-Use Zone for stuff too good for the landfill; and its Environmental Depot (which accepts hazardous waste). Some of us also visited an area Materials Recycling Facility (photo above). CSWD also works closely with the Intervale Composting.
In discussion with CSWD staff and visits to its facilities, we learned how the waste district
- promotes and facilitates recycling, waste diversion, and waste reduction
- gets private waste haulers to comply with source separation requirements for recycling
- measures diversion rates and characterizes waste
- funds its activities
- provides education and public information
- assists businesses, schools, and other institutions with implementing effective recycling and waste reduction efforts.
Visit the waste district's website to find out more.
RECYCLE NORTH has a three-part mission of waste-reduction, job-skills training, and poverty relief. This non-profit exemplifies how the problem of waste can be turned into an economic development opportunity. ReCycle North operates a Household Goods Store and a Building Materials Center, a Deconstruction Service, Repair Services, and four Training Programs.
ReCycle North's professional Deconstruction Crews carefully dismantle buildings and set aside reusable items for resale at its Building Materials Center in Burlington. These crews bid on demolition jobs. But unlike demolition, deconstruction makes every attempt to minimize waste and conserve resources by salvaging building materials for reuse.
ReCycle North provides quality, affordable repair services for computers and major appliances. Repairs are made by certified technicians, many of whom are graduates of ReCycle North's Apprentice-Style Training program.
Besides the Apprentice-Style Training, ReCycle North operates three other training programs for a diverse range of individuals who are struggling to find their place in the workforce. Career Start serves high school students with learning disabilities. Work Experience Training targets Welfare recipients, long-term unemployed adults and low-income youth. YouthBuild works with 16 to 24 year olds who have not completed high school.
Click here to download an informative case study. Also visit the ReCycle North website
.