USDA Rural Development--Earth Day 2003 Event

Committed to the future of rural communities

Earth Day 2003: Windham Solid Waste Management District, Vermont

Grant: $98,000
Total: $98,000

Outline of Need:

Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD) provides excellent solid waste management guidance and technical assistance to member communities; however, the need for education and compliance with new regulations continues. In 2001, the State of Vermont issued the Revised Vermont Solid Waste Management Plan which calls for a 50% waste diversion goal. Virtually all public landfills have been closed in VT, transferring the services to groups that do not always emphasize waste stream reduction and/or recycling. Solid waste management districts in VT have the responsibility of providing recycling and hazardous waste collection/disposal programs without state funding. The state offer operator training or certification programs.

How Rural Development Helped:

The Windham Solid Waste Management District received a $98,000 Solid Waste Management Grant from USDA Rural Development to continue its on-site technical assistance to its 17 community members, and expand their pollution prevention programs. This training will be given to operators of small transfer-stations that use the District Materials Recovery Facility (DMRF), on the proper disposal of hazardous materials that are contained in the waste brought to the DMRF (i.e., mercury switches found in appliances). This type of training will be extended to other community sectors such as auto salvage and heating companies that are not conscious of the proper disposal of mercury containing devices.

The Results:

This training and technical assistance will expand the opportunities for communities to remain in compliance with the new State regulations and elevate public awareness of environmental and public health threats associated with illegal dumping and burning. Also, the training will increase the awareness of the hazards of mercury containing devices and their proper disposal; increase responsible recycling, and decrease the volume of recyclables in landfills.

The four recipients of solid waste management grants triumphantly display their mock checks

Pictured, above: (L to R) Rhonda Shippee - Director of Community and Business Programs, USDA Rural Development Vermont; Doris Knechtel, Windham Solid Waste Management District; Gina Maser, Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District; Karen McNeil, Association of Vermont Recyclers; Lynn Rubenstein, Northeast Recycling Association.

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Rural Development is within the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administers rural business, cooperative, housing, utilities and community development programs.