Quick Links
| |
|
|
|
A Note from Leesa
As a municipality, the CVSWMD begins its budgeting cycle almost immediately after concluding its audit for the previous year. In October, the Board of Supervisors was presented with information exhibiting that the organization had fully recovered from the financial challenges faced during the 2009 economic downturn and actually completed both fiscal years 2010 and 2011 with healthy operating cash flows. In addition to facilitating the organization's financial stability, the CVSWMD also reduced its per capita assessment, a per person fee each member town pays to belong to the district, from $3.10 per person to $2.00 per person. The per capita assessment will remain at $2 per person for the upcoming year. The organization's surcharge on waste has remained the same since July 1, 2009. During a time when the global economic future seems worrisome, it is at times surreal to be in a position of fiscal stability.
However, from this strong position the CVSWMD is well placed to offer easily accessible, high quality programming and services to our member towns, residents, and businesses. We have begun the planning process for the upcoming year and our current plans for Fiscal Year 2013 include 7 hazardous waste collections, 24 special collections, the expansion of our Business Composting and School Zero Waste Programs. We will also continue to support and maintain the School Composting Program, which serves all public schools in the district, as well as several private schools.
CVSWMD will accept written comment on our budget and program plans through March 1, 2011. If you have questions, comments, or concerns please address your questions to CVSWMD, 137 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. If you would like to become more involved in the development of our program offerings, please consider serving on our Board of Supervisors.
Be Well,
Leesa
|
|
|
Quick Fact:
(North) Americans generate an extra 5 million tons of waste between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Source
Yikes! Fortunately, there are many ways you can reduce the amount of waste you and your family create this holiday season! Learn more...
Peace and joy this holiday season
from all of us at CVSWMD.
Back to Quick Links
|
Our 2011 Winter Zero Hero 
Tom Gilbert, Highfields Center for Composting
Digging his fingers into the dark, wormy soil of a new Vermiculture "bed", Tom Gilbert is clearly a man contented with his work. Throughout our afternoon at Highfields Center for Composting's (HCC) facility in Wolcott, his passion about all things compost (and agriculture) were on full display. Since composting is critical to achieving Zero Waste, Tom and I talked about HCC and its partnership with CVSWMD. Tom is the Executive Director of HCC, a small nonprofit based in Hardwick, which works throughout Vermont to "Close the loop on community-based, sustainable food and agricultural systems". Highfields Close the Loop Vermont! campaign builds off many of the successes of the CVSWMD Organics Program. Highfields is working throughout the state with partners, like CVSWMD, to develop the infrastructure to compost 100% of the state's food scraps. Gilbert sees alignment in these goals with the District's Zero Waste Plan. Read the full article about Tom and our work toward zero waste. Thanks Tom - you are a true Zero Hero! (Article written by Marian Miller, PR & Outreach Coordinator) *If you know someone in your community who is a Zero Hero, let us know! Back to Quick Links |
|
Local News and Stories
100% - 10,000 - 1 Million:
School Composting Hits the Marks!
What began in 2004 has finally come to full fruition! The School Composting Program can now boast a 100% public school participation rate! Roughly
10,000 students, faculty and staff can compost at school each day and over 1 MILLION pounds of food scraps have been diverted through this program! Nationally, this makes CVSWMD one of the largest municipal districts to have all of its public schools voluntarily composting daily throughout the school year.
Read the recent article on our School Composting Program in the national magazine Waste & recycling News. The Times-Argus wrote a great article on the program as well.
Our thanks go out to each and every person who helped to create, promote and implement this program successfully in the schools. We could not have reached this point without so many students, faculty and school staff; district staff; media; local leaders; and Board members who have supported our work.
Congratulations everyone!
Middlesex Store Thrives on Re-Use
First of all, "Sally" is a well-dressed mannequin. According to Monica Martinet, the owner of Sally's Second Act Thrift Store, the name "Sally" had just come up in her life a lot. When Monica opened the store, using the name just seemed a natural fit. The name, and Sally herself, do seem to fit right in at this little Middlesex store that is just packed full of unique, preused items for shoppers. It's a great place to find everything from Christmas treasures, shoes, clothing, picture frames, doo-dads and more!
Learn more about this great reuse store.
Sally's Second Act Thrift Store, Middlesex
Newest Compost Partner:
GROW Compost of Vermont
GROW Compost of Vermont, a partner in CVSWMD's composting programs, is a relatively new commercial compost facility located in Moretown. I met with Lisa Ransom, who owns GROW Compost with her husband Scott Baughman, to talk about the composting business and how Lisa and her family decided to get into it.
Lisa and Scott moved to their farm, which is directly adjacent to the Moretown Landfill, 20 years ago. As they watched the landfill expand over the years, they began to wonder if they could do something with their 40 acres that was good for the health of the environment and community.
Their answer: COMPOST!
Read Scott and Lisa's story!
(Articles written by Marian Miller, PR & Outreach Coordinator)
Back to Quick Links
|
|
School Updates
It's a Hit! School Zero Waste Grant Program
We created the School Zero Waste Grant Program to better help schools reduce waste. Public schools in CVSWMD member towns may apply for money to purchase reusable materials for the cafeteria or to fund a waste reduction related project. The grant fund was allocated $10,000 for FY2012. Thus far, 8 schools have been awarded funding.
- Spaulding High School - $2464.00. Purchase 2 water bottle filling station fountains and 100 reusable water bottles to sell to students.
- Barre Town Middle Elementary School - $875.00. Purchase reusable soup bowls. The school estimates savings of $1000 per year.
- Washington Village School - $100.00. Purchase reusable cups and bowls.
- Union Elementary School - $576.00. Purchase "Lunchskins" (washable cloth sandwich & snack baggies). They plan to sell the Lunchskins to students at school.
- Oxbow High School - $1130.00. Purchase metal silverware and reusable bowls for the cafeteria and a tilt cart that would be used to collect recycling.
- East Montpelier Elementary School - $300.00. Purchase additional reusable trays for the cafeteria.
- Bradford Elementary School - $2,496.21. Purchase reusable gloves, refillable squeeze bottles, magnetic flatware retrievers and reusable flat transit bags for inter-office mail.
- Chelsea Public School - $1970.68. Purchase reusable utensils, bowls, cup/mugs, etc. for the cafeteria.
Other School News
In October:
- School Zero Waste Coordinator, Gwen Lyons-Baker, traveled to Bradford to take part in Green Jobs day at Bradford Elementary School. Working with two 5th grade classes, Gwen helped students conduct a waste stream audit. The students presented their findings to the third grade classes later that day. Gwen will work with Ms. Loeffler's class to create an action plan for how the school can increase recycling and reduce waste.
In November:
- Gwen and Sarah Wisner, Program Assistant, accompanied Mrs. Pierce's Union Elementary School(UES) 5th grade class on their field trip to the Chittenden Solid Waste District Materials Recovery Facility. On their field trip students learned what happens to their recyclables once they are picked up by Casella. The students will offer peer education on recycling.
Moretown Landfill
- Program Assistant Sarah Wisner went with Main Street Middle School's Team Summit on an all day field trip. The group started with a tour of the CSWD Materials Recovery Facility, then took a tour of the Moretown Landfill. The students ended the day by visiting GROW Compost of Vermont. Gwen and Sarah will continue to work with Team Summit throughout the year on waste reduction education and initiatives at Main Street Middle School in Montpelier.
- Gwen joined UES's Todd Keller, Maintenance Supervisor, and students, Gabe Crane and Chloe Schiff on a trip for the "Power of Three" program. The students were winners of an essay contest. The program is a partnership between Foley Distributing Company, Casella and SCA Tissue to create a closed-loop on some part of the waste stream, in this case paper products. The group visited Foley's Distribution Center and attended the opening of Casella's new Zero Sort facility in Rutland. After the ceremony, everyone was thrilled to meet Governor Shumlin!
Gwen, Gabe, Todd, and Chloe
Back to Quick Links
|
|
Program Updates
Saying Goodbye to Mia
After seven years of faithful service to CVSWMD and our member towns, our Program Manager, Mia Roethlein, is leaving! Mia first joined the staff at CVSWMD as the Field Programs Assistant where she staffed the depots and assisted with Hazardous Waste events. When the manager left, Mia was a natural fit to take over the job. While in this position, both the Business Composting Program and Special Collection Events enjoyed great success and growth. Always thoughtful, her insight and dedication have been real assets to CVSWMD and the member towns it serves.
Mia's new job will keep her involved in resource management and environmental conservation, while offering opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge. When she goes, we will lose our Senior Office Mascot, Simon, as well.
Mia, you will be sorely missed by the staff and management at CVSWMD and we wish you all the best!
CVSWMD's 2011 collection season a HUGE success!
This year, we served 1,192 households - that's a 70% increase over last year! 11 events were held in 9 cities and towns in central Vermont to collect hazardous wastes, electronics, textiles, books, and tires. 542 households were first-time users, while 14 businesses and 17 municipalities and non-profits also benefitted from our 2011 collections. Overall, we collected:
- 28,800 pounds (14.4 tons) of mixed oil-based paints and resin
- 31,856 pounds (15.9 tons) of general hazardous waste(including solvents, pesticides, corrosives, and flammables)
- 2,456 pounds (1.2 tons) of batteries for proper recycling and disposal
- 13,260 pounds (6.6 tons) of latex paint
- 4,877 pounds (2.4 tons) of textiles
- 16,453 pounds (8.2 tons) of books
- 67,037 pounds (33.5 tons!) of electronics.
Business Composting Program Seeking New Customers
Our Business Composting Program has more customers than ever, but we want more! Bringing other restaurants and food service providers on our existing routes on board would help us create a more efficient program while focusing on CVSWMD's broad mission - reducing the amount of waste entering the landfill. So ask if your favorite restaurants if they compost and send them our way if they don't!
Back to Quicklinks
|
State and National News Vermont Law School Releases 2012 Top Ten Environmental Watch List Each year, Vermont Law School releases its eagerly awaited Top Ten Environmental Watch List. With this list, the school attempts to identify the most critical policy and legislative issues that will have a significant impact on the long-term health of our environment. What should we watch out for in 2012? House of Representatives attacks on the EPA, confusing messages from the White House on US climate change strategy, and ongoing "fall-out" from the Fukushima tragedy in Japan are among those making the cut. Go to the school's webpage to see the full list and get the details. CVSWMD's work positively impacts our shared environment and community health. Find out how at CVSWMD.org.
A Real Jewel: Bike Recycle Vermont Vermonters are a creative lot! WE know how to take what we have and keep it working or use to make something else that is equally valuable.The latest organization to make the news in reuse is Bike Recycle Vermont in Burlington. These ingenious folks are taking in old bikes, repairing them when possible, or scavenging parts and using them to make jewelry and other high-demand items, such as bottle openers. 
Learn more about this organization and where to purchase bike related items. Casella Opens New Zero Sort Facility Marian Miller, Public Relations and Outreach Coordinator for CVSWMD and Nancy Wolfe, the Board Representative for Barre City, attended the November Grand Opening of Casella's new Zero Sort facility in Rutland. The $3.75 million, state-of-the-art facility boasts the latest technology to speed up processing and increase the amount of materials that can be recycled there. Tours of the facility were offered, as well as product displays, give-ways and information about Casella's increasing commitment to environmentally sound waste management practices. More. Back to Quick Links |
|
Resources in Vermont and Beyond
Popular A - Z Guide Returns!
CVSWMD's highly popular A - Z Guide is updated and back on our website! It is located under the "Trash & Recycling" tab. Just choose the section you need and find our details about how to properly dispose of the item(s) in question. Of course, if you don't find the answer in the guide, just contact our office and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you! Call 229.9383 or email us.
Holiday Lights: LED's & Recycling
You can now buy energy efficient LED Christmas lights at reasonable prices! These lights not only use less energy, they last much longer, too. Check out Efficiency Vermont's page on this!
This year, CVSWMD will be accepting strands of old lights at our office at 137 Barre St. in Montpelier. Just drop them off before January 31th. Regular office hours are Monday - Friday, 8AM to 4PM *Due to holiday office scheduling, please call ahead to be sure we are in! 229.9383
Ongoing In-Office Collections
We collect a number of items for proper disposal and recycling at our office at 137 Barre St (8AM - 4PM, Monday- Friday)!
- Natural Wine Corks
- Personal Care & Beauty Product Package Recycling
- Digital Cameras - all types
- Cell Phones - all types
- Metal & Plastic Bottle Caps
- Rechargeable Batteries- Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd or Ni-CAD) and Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) and small sealed Lead Acid (Pb). *MUST WEIGH LESS THAN 2 LBS! If over 2lbs, call our office. 229-9383x106
Back to Quicklinks
|
|
CVSWMD Notes
We're Hiring
We are looking for someone to take on Program Manager responsibilities here at CVSWMD. Also, we are always looking for talented interns who wish to learn more about solid waste management issues and practices. See our Jobs & Internship page for a complete job (and internship) description and application details.
Contact us at 229.9383 with questions or for more information.
CVSWMD Board Welcomes Williamstown Rep!
Staff, management and the CVSWMD Board of Representatives is pleased to welcome Charles Sandlin, of Williamstown, as our newest representative! Thanks, Charles, for joining the efforts to reduce waste in central Vermont. We look forward to working with you in the future!
Green Cones & Soilsaver Classic Composters Still for Sale
Those who have purchased them have commented that the quality is high and the price is very reasonable, so stop by our office to check them out or call to order (802.229.9383 x 111).
These are for sale to in-district residents for the ultra-low price of $47. You can visit our website to learn more about these long-lasting composters.
We love Green Cones! They're a great way to keep food scraps, including bones and meats, out of the landfill. To purchase a Green Cone, email Gwen Lyons-Baker or call the office (802.229.9383 ext.111).
Town Representatives Needed
We still need Board Representatives from the following member towns: Plainfield, Tunbridge, Walden and Washington. If you or someone you know would be interested in helping guide the organization's work, let us know!
Please contact us at 802.229.9383 or email us for more information.
Back to Quick Links
|
|
Contact Us
Central Vermont Solid Waste
Management District (CVSWMD)
137 Barre Street
Montpelier, VT 05602-3618
Phone: 802.229.9383
Toll Free: 800.730.9475
FAX: 802.229.1318
email
Staff
Leesa Stewart
General Manager x101
email
Barb Baird
Administrative Coordinator/District Clerk x100
email
Mia Roethlein
Program Manager x 106
email
Gwen Lyons-Baker
School Zero Waste Coordinator x 111
email
Sarah Wisner
Program Assistant x 105
email
Marian Miller
Public Relations & Outreach Coordinator x 102
email
Annette Martin
Bookkeeper x 104
email
Bob Freeman
Driver
Ted Coles
Driver
Simon
Senior Office Mascot
Rosie
Junior Office Mascot
Devin
Off Site Mascot
Back to Quick Links
|
|
|
CVSWMD Board Members by City/Town
Barre City - Nancy Wolfe
Barre City alternate - Steve Micheli
Barre Town - Fred Thumm
Barre Town alternate - Jack Mitchell
Berlin - Matt Levin
Bradford - Gerhard Postpischil
Calais - Bill Powell
Calais Alternate - John Brabant
Chelsea - Mark Lembke
Chelsea Alternate - Steve Gould
East Montpelier - Ginny Callan
Hardwick - Paul Fixx
Middlesex - Anita Krauth
Montpelier - Mia Moore
Montpelier Alternate - Andy Hooper
Orange - Lee Cattaneo
Plainfield - Vacant
Tunbridge - Vacant
Walden - Vacant
Washington - Vacant
Williamstown - Charles Sandlin
Woodbury - Dave Barnowski
|
|
|
Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District is a union municipality committed to helping its 17 member communities work "Toward Zero Waste".
|
|
|
|
