Vermont Universal Recycling Law (Act 148)

What is it, and why does it matter?

In 2012, the Vermont Legislature unanimously passed the Universal Recycling Law (Act 148), which bans three major categories of materials from Vermonters’ trash bins: (1) food scraps and food residuals, (2) leaf/yard debris and clean wood, and (3) “Blue Bin” recyclables. 

The law was implemented in phases, starting in 2014 and came into full effect in July, 2020. 

As part of the passage of Act 148, the Vermont Legislature promotes a hierarchy of options for diverting organic material such as food and yard debris from the landfill stream. Act 148 encourages businesses and residents to consider this hierarchy when choosing the diversion option that best works for them.

Why ‘universal recycling’?

Almost half of what Vermonters throw away could be diverted from landfills, and half of this is organic material. The vision of the Food Cycle CoP is to divert food and organic materials that would otherwise be wasted and convert them into a valuable resource to support out local food system. 

Understanding the Vermont Food Recovery Hierarchy

While this hierarchy is not enforced, there is a logic behind it - first by reducing waste, and then directing these materials to where they will have the most impact and be used most efficiently. The Vermont legislature hopes to ensure that Act 148 will have the most impact possible, strengthening local communities, creating jobs, creating more food security within our state, and decreasing the negative environmental impacts of waste disposal.

Reducing Waste at the Source 

Almost everyone who buys food has had the unpleasant experience of taking out the fridge two weeks later, noticing an unpleasant odor or color, and throwing what was once perfectly edible and valuable food away. This doesn’t just happen at homes, but at restaurants, businesses, and processing plants, as well. The first step to decreasing the amount of food entering our waste stream is to prevent this food from becoming waste in the first place. This can be done through buying less food, taking careful inventory, and using smart shopping lists and storage methods to help manage our food more efficiently. 

There are many benefits associated with reducing the amount of food waste created. If we’re wasting less food, than we don’t need to produce as much food in the first place. This will have positive environmental impacts - less pesticides and fertilizers will be needed, potentially less land in production, less energy spent on transportation - both from the farms and grocery stores, but also to the landfill - a reduction in methane emissions created by organic materials in landfills, and financial savings for both individuals and businesses. 

For more information and strategies for reducing waste at the source, please visit our page “Food Storage/Life Extension“ and “Reducing Waste at the Source” or if you’re a business or organization, join the EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge! 

Motivating factors for Act 148

To learn more about why food waste is an issue, check out these resources:

Feed People, Not Landfills

Food for people is the second tier of the Vermont Food Recovery Hierarchy. Frequently, food that is disposed of by both homes and businesses is edible and nutritious food that could instead be used to feed hungry community members. With the passage of Act 148, the Vermont legislature hopes to see a reduction in the amount of food being landfilled and an increase in the amount of charitable food giving. Many people worry about the legality of donating food, but corporate donors are protected under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, and there can potentially even be tax benefits for companies that donate. Contact your local food bank, food shelf, food pantry, soup kitchen to see what their policies are regarding food donation. 

For more information regarding food donation, and to help find a local drop-off location, please visit our pages “Donate Food to People“ and “Donation and Composting”.

Feed Animals, Not Landfills

Food for animals is the third tier of the Vermont Food Recovery Hierarchy. Some food that may no longer be suitable for human consumption can instead be used to feed animals, which can help farmers save money and reduce the environmental impacts associated with producing animal feed. Animal feed is a regulated term, however, and it is important to understand the laws that govern the feeding of animals and how to properly handle your food scraps. 

If you’re considering donating or feeding food scraps to pigs, make sure to read the Swine Health Protection Act Fact Sheet. Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic has also published a helpful guide “Leftovers for Livestock: A Legal Guide for Using Food Scraps as Animal Feed” 

Please also see our pages “Donate Food for Animals“ and ”Donation and Composting” for more information and resources. 

Why Compost?

Composting and anaerobic digestion make up the fourth tier of the Vermont Food Recovery Hierarchy. Even if food waste is reduced at the source and edible food is donated to people and animals, there will always be inedible remnants that are not suitable for these purposes. These remnants can be composted to create a valuable and nutritious soil amendment.

Compost is created by the activity of microbes and the proper ratio of organic matter, moisture, and oxygen. iverting organic waste to composting processes, rather than landfills, can help create jobs in Vermont, increase the health of our soils, farms, and communities, and also increase water quality and reduce the negative impacts associated with landfilling organic materials. There are many different ways to turn your organic waste into compost. Visit our pages “Composting at Home,” “Compost Bin Contruction and Management, ” and “Donation and Composting” to find out which method would work best for you

Visit the EPA’s page “Composting at Home“  and the USDA’s “Compost Tip Sheet” for more composting basics. 

Environmental Benefits

  • Reduced production and use of chemical fertilizers, reduced greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer manufacture

  • Reduced long distance shipping of fertilizers and chemicals

  • Reduced runoff of agrochemicals into watersheds

  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to landfilling and anaerobic digestion

  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration in soils

  • Reduced topsoil loss

  • Increased soil quality with improved drought, disease and weed resistance

  • Reduced toxic leachate from landfills

Farm Viability Benefits

  • Increased soil fertility improved drought, disease and weed resistance

  • Increased or diversified farm income through tipping fees for accepting food scraps and compost sales

  • Potential decreased energy use with thermal recovery from compost

  • Reduced or eliminated use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides

  • Reduced or eliminated expenses for chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides

  • Reduced erosion and topsoil loss

  • Reduced water runoff due to increased soil moisture retention

Community Benefits

  • Increased number of jobs

  • Increased community participation in resource management

  • Increased local resource and dollar circulation

  • Increased community soil and food security