Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District
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Green Cone Information

Order a Green Cone here

The Green Cone is an in-ground digester that breaks down  food scraps - including meat, fish, dairy, and bones. They can be placed in yards and gardens, even right next to the house, and don’t require turning or special material combinations to work. They do require at least a half-day of full sun and well drained soil (or add gravel and sand to create drainage around the cone).

The bottom part of the cone is buried in the ground, enabling micro-organisms and insects in the soil to break down the food scraps underground. The sun heats up the top part of the cone, helping to speed up the decomposition process. Unlike compost bins, the cones do not produce compost. Rather, the nutrients are released into the soil during decomposition, nourishing plants near the cone.

Once installed, you simply open the lid, add food scraps, and close the lid. That’s it! Decomposition quickens during warm weather and slows during cold weather. But since much of the material is underground, it never stops altogether — even in Central VT!


Green Cone Installation Slide Show and Instructions


Green Cones for Small Schools

Small schools and businesses offer both unique opportunities and challenges for implementing waste reduction programs, especially when it comes to food scraps. For small programs, on-site management of food scraps is likely the best option. That’s where Green Cones come in. We developed a how-to booklet, Green Cones for Small Schools, to help small schools, day care centers, and other small programs to decide whether Green Cones might work for them.
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Office  | 137 Barre St, Montpelier VT 05602-3618| 802-229-9383 | comments@cvswmd.org
Office Hours: M - F, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
ARCC  | 540 No. Main St, Barre VT 05641 | 802-476-1900  
ARCC Hours: M, W, F, 10:30 am - 5:30 pm and 3rd Saturdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
ARCC Closed for Lunch: M, W, F, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 

*CVSWMD Member Towns: 
Barre City, Barre Town, Berlin, Bradford, Calais, Chelsea, Duxbury, East Montpelier, Fairlee, Hardwick, Middlesex, Montpelier, Orange, Plainfield, Tunbridge, Walden, Washington, Williamstown, and Woodbury. 
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Background photo (c) Adam Chandler/Flickr
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