Zero Waste
Building on important work done in recent years to ban specific single-use products, we must continue to develop and implement strategies to reduce the amount of waste we generate, and improve how we manage waste. As underscored by the legislatively-created Single Use Products Working Group, our current use and disposal patterns are inefficient, expensive, and produce harmful pollution – including climate pollution and toxic chemicals that leach into our waters.
The Vermont Legislature mandated recycling and composting in Act 148. We must maintain our commitment to this important legislation while pursuing complementary policies to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and harmful alternatives, and continue to work to improve statewide recycling and composting rates. A modernized bottle bill, a policy which passed the legislature last year but was vetoed by the Governor, would help address this issue by increasing recycling. We must do everything possible to reduce or divert our waste to Vermont’s aging and only landfill.
We must also continue to develop and implement strategies to reduce the amount of waste we generate, and improve how we manage our waste. Our current use and disposal of plastics and other materials is inefficient, expensive, and produces harmful pollution – including climate pollution and toxic contamination.
TAKE ACTION
2025 Legislative Priorities
Modernize the Bottle Bill which would expand the program to cover a wider range of beverages to reduce waste, cut plastic pollution, and increase recycling.
Justin Marsh
Political Director
Vermont Conservation Voters