The CVSWMD has launched a Business Organics Program to work with area restaurants and other commercial food waste generators to keep food waste out of the landfill. The material is diverted to a composting facility where it can be recycled into a valuable soil amendment, rather than wasted.

Food waste comprises 20% of the waste Vermonters send to the landfill. Not only do organic materials take up a lot of landfill space, they produce greenhouse gases as they decay. Composting makes good use of this "waste" material, producing a product that helps build healthy soil for growing more food.

Why take part? Environmental Facts (118k PDF).

Diverting Food Waste Can
Save You Money

Through diverting food waste to composting, many participating businesses are reducing their waste management costs, too.

Why take part? Economic Facts (117k PDF).

To help you get started, the CVSWMD Business Organics Program offers:

• Free employee training;
• Free instructional signs for your work spaces;
• Free hauling of food waste for first three (3) months;
• 100% subsidized tipping fees for first three (3) months;
• Free sturdy 48-gallon totes for food waste;
• Help in understanding your trash contract;
• Free customized cost/benefit estimates for food waste diversion; and
• Help in renegotiating your trash contract to reflect the savings from food waste diversion.

Large food waste generators may find food waste diversion offers substantial savings, besides the environmental benefits. Smaller generators may find that participation is simply cost-neutral—plus the environmental benefits!

For more information, contact the Special Programs Coordinator-802-229-9383, or email:specialprograms@cvswmd.org