UNIVERSAL RECYCLING R3 CONFERENCE

APRIL 8, 2014

Josh Kelly – Environmental Analyst

VT Department of Environmental Conservation

Changing our view from “waste” to…

Materials Management

Universal Recycling Law (Act 148)

Most significant change to VT waste law since 1988.

Unanimously approved by state legislature in 2012

No funding attached…

GOAL: To divert valuable materials for better uses and provide more consistent and convenient services statewide

Initiated in Phases to allow infrastructure to develop

Universal Recycling - Bans

Bans disposal of:

listed recyclables by 2015 (metal, glass, plastics 1&2, paper)

leaf & yard debris and clean wood by 2016,

food scraps 2014 – 2020

Phased in mandates for larger generators to divert

food residuals, if there is a facility within 20 miles

2014 > 104 tons/yr (2 tons/wk)

2015 > 52 tons/yr (1 ton/wk)

2016 > 26 tons/yr (1/2 ton/wk)

2017 > 18 tons/yr (1/3 ton/wk)

2020 all food scraps

Parallel Collection & Unit-Based Pricing

Mandates parallel collection by facilities/haulers

that collect trash:

mandated recyclables by 2014/2015

(at no additional charge for residential recyclables),

leaf & yard debris by 2015/2016

food scraps by 2017

Municipalities must adopt Unit-Based Pricing by

2015

Recycling in Public Spaces

Recycling collection

containers must be

available in publically

owned places by 2015

Vermont Food Recovery Hierarchy

Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (1996) –

helps protect food donors from liability associated with donated food.

Universal Recycling Symbols

State Standardized Symbols – adopted fall 2013

Current Priorities

IMPLEMENTING Universal Recycling

Seeking funding source

Creating outreach Materials & Training

Organics Mapping Tool & Database

Outreach to:

Local Governments

Haulers & Facility Owners,

Food Scrap Generators, and more!

Many, many meetings

Additional Priorities & Initiatives

EPR & Product StewardshipMercury added Products

Electronics

Paint

Batteries in process

Collecting Good Data Waste Composition and

Systems Analysis Studies

Setting New Goals & Improve Local Governance Draft Materials Management Plan – Decrease Disposal by 25%

Contact Details & Website

Josh Kelly

josh.kelly@state.vt.us

802.522.5897

Want more info?

Search online for

“Universal Recycling VT”