Recycling bill targets biowaste in Vermont
A new law has been signed in the US state of Vermont that calls for statewide mandatory recycling to be introduced by 2020 and aims to help reduce the amount of food waste, paper and plastics bottle disposed of in landfill sites. Vermont is currently reported to be recycling 36% of its waste and hopes to recycle a further 32% through mandatory recycling and composting. According to the Associated Press, the first mandate would apply to large-volume generators of food waste, such as manufacturers and hospitals, required to recycle by 2014. Households would then be required to recycle paper and plastic by 2015, and green waste by 2016. The bill, referred to as H.485, is an “Act Relating to Establishing Universal Recycling of Solid Waste”, and is hoped to reduce the $7.6 million worth of waste currently disposed of by Vermont that could be recycled or composted. Governor Shumlin reportedly said: “H.485 moves Vermont towards the goal of sending as little solid waste to landfills as possible while maximizing recycling and composting.” As well as establishing a 36% recycling rate, Vermont also sends waste for processing in a waste to energy facility acquired earlier this year by Wheelabrator Technologies (see WMW story). ###