On May 16, 2012, Vermont passed Act 148, creating a first-of-its-kind Universal Recycling Law. This historic law requires three categories of material to be separated and recycled: “blue bin” recyclables (such as plastics, paper, and glass), leaf and yard debris, and food scraps. The food diversion requirement was phased in from 2014 to 2020, beginning with the largest generators with closest proximity to a facility and ending with all generators regardless of location in the state. 

This law presented a huge win for the organics recycling movement and has since served as a model for legislators and advocates across the country. At the same time, implementation of depackager technology, the rise of monopoly waste company Casella Waste Systems, and contamination concerns have presented challenges and learning opportunities that are still being grappled with in Vermont. 

In this episode, Natasha Duarte, Director of the Composting Association of Vermont (CAV) discusses these successes and challenges, and shares lessons for other policymakers and advocates to consider when writing and implementing similar legislation.  

Tune in to learn about:

The importance of a clear hierarchy of best and highest use for wasted food.
The positive impact of Universal Recycling on the charitable food system. 
The challenges depackager technology has presented in Vermont, including contamination and environmental justice concerns. 
The importance of source separation and maintaining high quality waste streams. 
Local composting’s role in raising social awareness and changing consumer behavior. 
Monopoly power in the waste industry, and why scale matters.
The importance of value-oriented legislation that anticipates future technology.

For related resources and full transcript, visit: ilsr.org/articles/lessons-learned-from-vermonts-universal-recycling-law