Ahead of the Curb: Minimizing Waste to Maximize Community Composting
Have you seen the new Department of Public Works compost truck zipping around Town? This year, the Town realized that we can collect compost just as well as a private hauler, and for significantly less money. Additionally, the dollars the Town spends stay entirely within Windham County through our partnership with Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD).
The switch from Casella to Brattleboro's own DPW for picking up organics (food scraps and soiled paper) has already had a positive impact on the quality of incoming materials at WSWMD.
One noticeable change, other than that fancy new truck, is their attention to detail when picking up curbside organics. They take the time to inspect container contents rather than just chucking it all in. If you’ve received a green “service notice” sticker, then you know all about it. While getting a sticker can be a head-scratcher, it results in far less contamination than in the days before Brattleboro’s DPW took over.
Not sure why you received your “service notice” sticker? Feel free to call 802-254-4255 to learn more about your violation. The Town appreciates all the efforts residents put into their sorting and disposing of materials properly.
What is great about composting is that it’s not just the right thing to do, it saves money as well! Because trash is more expensive to dispose of than compost, for every ton that we compost instead of throwing in the trash, the Town saves $55. Over the course of a year, this amounts to serious savings, and less burden on the taxpayer.
While WSWMD hasn’t changed what is accepted recently, busy residents don't always have time to track waste management trends and policies. This article attempts to grab the attention of curbside users—so psssst… tell your friends what you learn!
WSWMD’s compost is special because it’s ours. What goes in, invariably comes out … in a way. WSWMD’s compost, Brattlegrow, is used by schools, gardeners, neighbors, family, etc. In order to make a healthy product, we need to make sure we’re putting only what is acceptable to this facility in.
The WSWMD compost facility accepts certified compostable materials as well as pet waste. Few compost facilities accept these items. Outside of food scraps and 100% paper products (those without a plastic or aqueous lining), anything man-made should be vetted. Products with third-party certifications include bin liners, produce bags, takeout food service ware, and some paper bags. Beware of lookalikes: green bags claiming to be “biodegradable” or “Earth friendly” without an official third-party certification logo are not allowed. No logo: no go-go.
Other things that end up in the compost that we pick out and count as contamination include milk/juice/ice cream cartons; food packaging boxes (super shiny, colored materials); plastic bags; plastic bottles; cans; items of clothing; etc. Please don’t put these in your curbside organic bin or drop them off at WSWMD for composting.
Learn About Curbside Compost this November
At WSWMD, we understand that sometimes things slip into the compost bin by accident. Oops! There goes my metal spoon! But when certain items keep showing up as contamination like milk cartons and green dog bags without a certification, we know it’s time for a little outreach. Stephen Dotson, Sustainability Coordinator for Brattleboro, and Alex Lacy, Outreach Coordinator for WSWMD, will be at the Brooks Memorial Library on Monday, November 9 at 4:30 p.m. as well as on Monday, November 16 at 6 p.m. to discuss the curbside compost program and field questions. All are welcome to attend. Contact the Brooks Memorial Library for more information.
It’s a biological miracle that rotten food, pet waste (no plastic), and carbon materials like woodchips, dried leaves, and chicken bedding combine to create a material that is highly nutritious for plants. The WSWMD compost facility, in partnership with Brattleboro curbside and many local towns, businesses, and schools, is our most local waste-reduction system. When compost is appropriately used and created, it can build soil locally, fight erosion by holding water and reduce runoff, can grow food, and will reduce waste sent to Vermont’s only landfill.
Here is the link to the most updated Brattleboro Curbside Compost list.
Contact the office of WSWMD for any further questions about what can and cannot be composted at 802-257-0272 or email [email protected]. For questions about curbside pick up, contact the Brattleboro DPW at 802-254-4255.
Read other articles about Brattleboro's sustainability efforts here or visit the sustainability page.