Communities & Municipalities
Go to Current Events page for events happening NOW.
CSWD partners with local and state organizations to offer a variety of community programs that have an end goal of saving energy, reducing waste and minimizing the carbon footprint of a community–including the town offices! Contact CSWD Community Outreach Coordinator Marge Keough at 802-872-8100 x234 or send her an email by choosing the “Community Events or Programs” drop-down option on the Contact Us page.
Recycling has been mandatory for all residents, businesses and municipalites in Chittenden County since April 1993. To help households and businesses recycle everything possible, CSWD provides a limited number of free recycling bins for households and businesses.
Community Grant Opportunities
Waste Reduction Programs
CSWD is offering $10,000.00 in Community Waste Reduction Grants for FY2012 for community projects that will result in less trash headed to the landfill.
CSWD is accepting applications for remaining available grant funds on a first-come, first-served basis, through May 2012.
New this year, CSWD has created a simplified grant procedure for requests for $250.00 or less.
CSWD awarded more than $3,000 to projects during fiscal year 2011:
- In Winooski, the “Compost Project for Community Gardens and Kitchens” will construct and manage a compost bin to accommodate kitchen scraps generated at the community kitchens, along with food scraps from three neighboring staff kitchens and garden debris from the community gardens.
- In Burlington, the Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes School in Burlington and Shelburne Farms’ Sustainable Schools Project “Learning about Life Cycles Events and Activities” involves the students and the community in an integrated program to educate and facilitate an increase in composting both at school and in the community.
- In Williston, the UVM Master Gardeners “Composting Bins at Williston Community Gardens” project involves constructing and managing compost bins for the community gardens, and educating gardeners how to utilize the compost program.
- In Underhill, the Underhill Central School’s project, “It’s Easy Being Green,” will educate students, staff and community members about composting through a hands-on, interactive approach as the school sets up a cafeteria compost program and contributes to building soils to grow food used at the school.
- In Essex Town, the “School Sustainability Initiative” project uses grant funds to construct sorting stations for use in cafeterias as part of a school-district-wide campaign to compost food scraps.
CSWD awarded $2,000 in grants for six community waste reduction projects in March 2010.
Community Cleanup Fund
CSWD provides annual grants to communities in Chittenden County to clean up local problem areas. The grants may be used to pay for activities directly related to the clean up of solid waste such as disposal fees, container rental, transportation, and labor. Funds may also be used for the prevention of future disposal at the site through proper placement of signage and containers. The project must be deemed beneficial to the community at large. The municipality may choose to clean up sites located on either private or public property.
If you have a project that you think is eligible for this fund, contact your city, town, or village community representative on the CSWD Board of Commissioners.
Community Clean Up Fund project procedures for municipalities.
CSWD Community Program Offerings
Film and education events – CSWD is scheduling community showings of the films Dirt! The Movie, “The Story of Stuff”, and other films/events in partnership with local organizations or municipal groups. The free, zero-waste events can feature a potluck dinner, a recycling relay and raffle prizes. CSWD will also partner with local groups and tailor waste and energy reduction events to suit the goals of local community groups. Composting is a popular theme that encompasses waste reduction and energy savings, and supports local food production efforts.
Community events — CSWD is happy to meet with your town or organization to help plan events that educate and inspire waste reduction at home, work and school. Examples of past events include sustainability, energy and conservation fairs as well as compost outreach and educational programs.
SoilSaver backyard compost bin sales — SoilSavers are available for purchase at some Chittenden County municipal locations in addition to Intervale Compost Products in Williston. Go to our backyard bin offer page for details.
Town Meeting displays — Each year CSWD provides Chittenden County towns with an updated educational display and brochures highlighting CSWD waste reduction information and programs. These displays remain available for municipal offices to use year-round.
Tools and Tips
- CSWD Sustainability Scorecard for Municipalities
- State of Vermont contract – Municipalities can take advantage of the state’s research and bulk purchasing power to find green products at the best prices
- Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) is a network of Vermont organizations helping communities across the Green Mountain State to reduce energy costs and climate impacts through conservation, increased energy efficiency and conversion to renewable energy sources.
- Recycling signage for your town offices (coming soon)
