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 municipalities 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 FY2013 for community projects that will result in less trash headed to the landfill. CSWD will accept proposals for these funds from member municipalities on a first-come, first-served basis through May 2013.
Waste Reduction Grant
This procedure is for funding requests greater than $250. A 25 percent match from the community is required for these grants. Please read the following request for proposals for more information:
CSWD FY2013 Waste Reduction Grant rfp
Mini Waste Reduction Grant
CSWD has created a simplified grant procedure for requests for $250.00 or less. No community matching funds are required. Please read the following request for proposals for more information:
FY2013 Waste Reduction Mini-Grant rfp
The following conversion factors may be useful for estimating waste diverted as a result of your community project:
Three community projects received nearly $5,000 in funding during fiscal year 2012:
- South Burlington School District “Green Habits of Mind” project was awarded grant funds to purchase materials to construct waste stations for cafeterias throughout the school district. The waste stations maximize the separation of compostable and recyclable materials from trash, resulting in less waste heading towards the landfill. Project partners estimate over 1,300 pounds of food scraps will be diverted from trash during the course of the school year as a result of the waste station project.
- The Town of Huntington “Huntington Packaging Exchange Center” project was awarded grant funds to construct a shed, located behind the Fire Station, where residents will be able to drop off or pick up packing materials (e.g., bubble wrap, packing peanuts, envelopes, other packing materials) for reuse. Expected opening date is July 1, 2012. Volunteers will help keep the shed tidy, and a notebook to log materials dropped off or taken will help quantify the success of the project towards diverting materials from the landfill for reuse.
- Women Helping Battered Women (WHBW) was awarded funding from CSWD’s mini-grant funds for the purchase of a backyard compost collection container, kitchen pail and tools for use in their backyard compost project. This project will divert food scraps generated at WHBW to the backyard compost project. Finished compost will be used to build soils in their gardens which provide healthy foods for residents at WHBW programs.
CSWD awarded more than $3,000 to five community waste reduction projects during fiscal year 2011.
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,” “Bag It,” “The Story of Stuff”, and other films/events in partnership with local organizations or municipal groups. The free, zero-waste events offer free popcorn and cider, 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 Green Mountain Compost 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 bins and decals for your town offices.