Programs Overview
In addition to the programs below, we offer ongoing technical assistance and referral services to all our member cities and towns. Please contact us if you have any questions about our programs or services.
Business Composting Program
Businesses can reduce waste and save money by simply diverting food scraps from your kitchen, store coolers, and customer plates. The CVSWMD Business Organics Program provides you with everything you need to get started, from on-site training by staff to free hauling for the first month and much more.
Go to our Business Composting Program page to learn more. |  Ted Coles picking up food scraps |
School Zero Waste Program
CVSWMD believes that by encouraging schools to examine their purchase and use habits, they can reduce waste. Our School Zero Waste program began full implementation in 2011-2012. This program provides useful information to each school and is expected to generate innovations in purchasing and reuse that will provide cost savings to each school.
|  Student dumping food scraps for composting |
Composting
Begun in 2004, our School Composting Program continues to thrive as part of the comprehensive School Zero Waste Program. A 2005 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence and Pollution Prevention, the program develops composting programs for elementary, middle, and high school cafeterias and kitchens. Visit our School Programming page to learn more. |  Montpelier High School students assist with Waste Audit, December 2010 |
Lawrence Walbridge Reuse Fund Grant Program
Supporting the development of a local and sustainable reuse community that serves District towns.
The Lawrence Walbridge Reuse Fund (LWRF) was established in 1997 in memory of Lawrence Walbridge, a CVSWMD Board Supervisor from Williamstown, Vermont. The grant program provides technical and financial support to individuals and new or developing reuse businesses. It also supports endeavors that educate the public about the social, economic, and environmental benefits of reuse. Go to our Lawrence Walbridge Reuse Fund page to learn more. |  Grantee - ReStore in Barre  Grantee - Dog River Farm in Berlin |
Household & Small Business Hazardous Waste Program
Fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, paint and paint products, and some household cleaners are all hazardous materials.
There are a growing number of options for the safe recycling and/or disposal of hazardous products in our region, and some businesses and recycling depots accept particular items year round. We encourage you to use these services when possible, rather than storing up materials for a hazardous waste collection. CVSWMD does hold an annual series of events to collect special and hazardous materials. Go to our Hazardous Waste Program page to learn more. |  2010 Montpelier Hazardous Waste drop-off event  Unused paint and stain at Household Hazardous Waste event |
Special Collections Programs
We hold special collections for residents and small businesses, including events to dispose of electronic waste, which is now banned statewide from entering landfills, and books and textiles. Go to our Special Collections Program page to learn more. |  E-waste collection |
Green Cones and Residential Composting
The Green Cone is an in-ground food scrap digester that breaks down all food scraps, including meat, fish, dairy, and bones. Green Cones are sited in yards and gardens and don’t require turning or a special combination of materials to work. Unlike compost bins, the cones do not produce compost. Rather, the nutrients are released into the soil during decomposition, nourishing plants near the cone.
Go to our Green Cone Information page to learn more. We also provide information and support for those who want to set up a residential composting system. Composting food scraps is a great way to keep food scraps out of the waste stream while creating an incredibly rich soil that can be added to gardens and house plants. Go to our Residential Composting page to learn more. |  Green Cone  Composter |
