Vermont

Statistics and Rankings

The 16th Nationwide Survey of MSW Management in the United States found that, in 2006, Vermont had an estimated 644,226 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, the lowest tonnage in a survey of the 50 states and the capital district. Based on the 2006 population of 620,778, an estimated 1.04 tons of MSW were generated per person per year (ranking joint 40th). Vermont landfilled 366,987 tons (ranking last) in the state's four landfills. It was ranked 31st out of 44 respondent states for number of landfills and had no plans to increase its landfill volume. The state exported 87,940 tons of MSW, and the import tonnage was not reported. Vermont has no waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities, but 47,286 tons of MSW (26th out of 32 respondents) were sent to out-of-state WTE plants. It recycled 229,953 tons of MSW, placing Vermont 39th in the ranking of recycled MSW tonnage. Landfill tipping fees across Vermont were an average $96 per ton, the most expensive in the United States. Whole tires, used oil and oil-based paint, lead-acid and ni-cad batteries, mercury-added products, and white goods were reported as being banned from Vermont landfills. Vermont was also among the first states to have a statewide ban on backyard burning.

Bottle Bill

In 1953, Vermont became the first state to pass a bill banning disposable bottles (known as a “bottle bill,” or “container deposit law”), requiring a minimum refundable deposit to encourage recycling. The bill banned only the sale of beer in nonrefillable bottles. However, the bill expired after four years due to a political group made of an alliance of breweries, soft drink makers, and the glass and metal industry. The businesses with the most direct involvement in the beverage-container industry created the nonprofit group Keep America Beautiful, which promoted antilitter ads and public service announcements that were credited with diverting scrutiny away from the container manufacturers. In 1971, the Oregon Bottle Bill became the first U.S. container deposit legislation to be passed.

Elizabeth Mine Superfund Site

The Elizabeth Mine, Orange County, is a 1,400-acre abandoned rural copper mine and associated ore-processing site that was worked from 1809 to 1957. The site was part of a Copper Belt around 20 miles long in Orange County. After its abandonment, many underground workings were flooded with groundwater and acid mine drainage (AMD) flowed downslope. The mine tailings piled on the site are high in metals and sulfides. Water penetrating and flowing over the piles produces sulfuric acid and dissolves and mobilizes the metals. The mine drainage flowed into two small watersheds, Copperas Brook and an unnamed stream connected to Lord Brook, from where it polluted the west branch of the Ompompanoosuc River. Samples of mine tailings, surface water, sediment, fish tissue, groundwater, and drinking water all showed metal levels exceeding background levels. Runoff from the tailings piles and heap leach piles accounted for over 80 percent of the aluminium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, and zinc loads. Around one ton of iron per week is discharged into Copperas Brook.

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