Vermont Business Magazine Spring brings a chance of flooding and an opportunity for cleaning.
During the floods of 2023 and 2024, dangerous items like batteries, mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs, paint, and old oil and gasoline containers were found buried in muddy basements and scattered in flooded fields. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) encourages Vermonters to regularly and responsibly dispose of unwanted items. This helps protect people and property in the event of a disaster.
“For many of us, spring is a great time to tidy things up around the home and get a fresh start for the warmer months,” said DEC Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli. “Our department has created a lot of helpful resources to guide spring cleaning efforts across the state. Thanks to Vermonters’ proper disposal of household waste each year, we can better protect our families, neighbors, and environment.”
One important step in personal and public safety is to responsibly dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW). HHW includes any household chemical, automotive, lawn, or garden products labeled ‘caution, toxic, danger, hazard, warning, poisonous, reactive, corrosive, or flammable’. Residents can bring HHW to collection events or HHW facilities. Learn about local collections from your waste district or town’s website at 802recycles.com.
“We want to remind Vermonters to never mix household hazardous products,” said Anne Bijur, DEC Materials Management Section Supervisor. “Store any unwanted or leftover products safely in their original container and bring them to a household hazardous waste collection event or facility in your region as soon as possible”.
For unwanted items like old TVs, leftover fluorescent light bulbs, mercury thermostats, leftover paint, and expired batteries, you can take them to free special recycling locations across the state. Visit DEC’s VTrecycles.com and click on the orange “Special Recycling” symbol to find a collection location near you.
For other spring cleaning questions, visit the DEC’s “What Do I Do With This?” webpage. It explains how to get rid of items like tires, scrap metal, medications, and more. You can also learn what to do with things locally by exploring your waste district, alliance, or town’s A-Z Guide. This is an online, searchable list of waste items and what to do with them.
Learn more at VTrecycles.com or call 802-828-1138.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont's natural resources and safeguarding human health for the benefit of this and future generations. Visit dec.vermont.gov and follow the Department of Environmental Conservation on Facebook and Instagram.
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Website.
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