Vermont’s New Universal Recycling Law

What is Vermont’s new universal recycling law, and how will it impact what you can put in your garbage can? Joe Vega of WIZN 106.7 is on the radio with Attorney Ben Barry of Martin, Harding and Mazzotti discussing the new law. Please give it a listen or read the transcript below.

Joe: 106.7 WIZN. The mighty Led Zeppelin with Heartbreaker into Living Loving Maid. Heard The Eagles and Life in the Fast Lane before that. I’m Joe Vega here with you on your Thursday Rocking Ride Home. Brought my friend Ben Barry on the program from Martin Harding & Mazzotti. Hello, Ben.

Ben: Joe, how you doing?

Joe: I’m doing good. So, I’ve got a question for you. I was on WCAX. And they had this story about how…it was about composting. And about how with Vermont’s universal recycling law going into effect this summer, that means more people will be composting food waste from home. And I read that sentence. And I said, “Wait a minute. Vermont’s universal recycling law going into effect this summer? What is that?” So, I’m bringing you, Ben Barry from Martin, Harding & Mazzotti onto the program to explain to me what is Vermont’s new universal recycling law?

Ben: Well, thank you for having me on. Thank you.

Joe: I thought of recycling, Ben, and I immediately thought of you.

Ben: You mean you thought of composting, you thought of me.

Joe: Right. That’s right.

Ben: Well, thank you for the question. I’m not an expert on this particular law. But what I can tell you actually is that Act 148 has been around for quite some time. And there’s actually just a new phase of this coming into existence in 2020 July I believe. It requires a lot of things of trash haulers. But it also puts a burden on residents as well to start to compost their biodegradable food scraps and things of that nature. So, I personally love his law. I think it’s a great thing. I think Vermont is ahead of the curve. And I think it’s an opportunity for people to kinda give back to the earth. I am a composter myself. I enjoy it. It’s certainly useful for me and my backyard garden. And I really do agree with the enactment of this type of recycling. I think it’s gonna be beneficial. And I would venture to say that other states will catch on to this kinda protocol.

But yes, it is true that in July people will be required to have a heightened standard as far as what you can throw in your garbage can. But again, Vermonters have already been doing this. They’ve already removed a lot of their recyclables from their trash. And trash haulers are responsible for separating that if they have a Zero-Sort system. So it’s nothing really new. It’s not a new law. It’s just kind of the tail end of it where some for the residents in Vermont are gonna start to say, “Well, this apple peel or this apple core has gotta be composted.”

Joe: Okay, so there you go. Starting in July, start thinking about composting that leftover food. Thank you very much. Ben Barry from Martin, Harding & Mazzotti.

Ben: Thank you, Joe.

Joe: Of course, you can call Ben at any time at 1-800-LAW-1010 or go online to 1800law1010.com. All right. I’m out of here. Mel Allen taking over. He’s got music from Bon Jovi and Red Rider next.

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