Vermont Act 148/Universal Recycling Law requires that all households and businesses keep their food scraps out of trash bound for a landfill. The exception: Meat/fish scraps and bones may continue to go in the trash if you are composting on site – at a residence, business, or school.

Food Scrap Disposal Options

1. On-site Compost

2. Feed scraps to chickens

3. Food scrap pick-up by a commercial hauler

4. Food scrap drop-off at transfer station

See Food Scrap Disposal Options for GUV Towns for alternatives to composting on-site.

Whatever you do with your food scraps, please don’t include:

  • PLU Produce stickers or plastic of any kind
  • “Compostable ware” of any kind. See “Compostable Ware” on the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle tab

What you’ll need for onsite composting:

1. Ingredients

Nitrogen (green, wet)
  • Food scraps
  • Weeds
  • Freshly mown grass
  • Aged manure
  • Coffee Grounds
  • Tea Bags
  • Eggshells
Carbon (dry, brown)
  • Dead Leaves
  • Straw
  • Corn Stalks
  • Sawdust
  • Wood Chips
  • Dried, brown grass clippings
  • Dead perennial flower stalks
  • Newspaper – torn in small pieces
  • Shredded Paper
  • Food soiled cardboard – torn in small pieces

2. Kitchen Pail

There are many choices in stores or online. GUV sells Sure-Close pails at a discounted price.

3. Buy Your Own Composter

GUV sells this Soil Saver compost bin while supplies last. There are many choices online. Please note: Compost tumblers tend to freeze up in the winter. Feel free to call our office for advice – (802)674-4474

4. Build Your Own Composter

www.rougeengineer.com

If you are handy and want to save money, you can build your own composter. Look online for design ideas. 

5. Basic Tips

  • For every ONE container of food scraps (wet stuff) you add to the pile, add THREE containers of dead, brown stuff. This will make the microbes happy. Microbes make compost.
  • There should never be any food scraps visible when you look in your pile. Always cover them with dead, brown material. This will help diminish odors and keep animals away.
  • Always keep your compost pile contained. Certain molds can be deadly to dogs. No animal should have access to your food scraps. Bears are prevalent in many areas. Try installing a strand of electric fence (plug-in or solar-powered) around your compost area and bait it with peanut butter on pieces of tin foil. Once a bear is “stung”, it won’t come back.
  • Some people never turn their compost pile; others turn it once a month or so. It’s a matter of preference.
  • It’s good to have a minimum of two sections to your homemade composter or two manufactured composters. Use one for a year (or a season) and then “put it to bed” and let the contents break down. Start the second section. Repeat.