About 10% of Vermonters (64,370 people) are food insecure, meaning they don’t have regular access to nutritious food (Hunger Free Vermont). While donating food that would be wasted is not a solution, it can provide aid to those in need and reduce waste. to reducing poverty, it can provide aid for people in need to live fuller lives.

Direct Benefits for Businesses:

Save Money: Removing food waste from trash, will reduce the weight, cost and frequency of trash pickups.The cost of trash collection will be lower for businesses that donate food, since it affords less weight and fewer trash pickups. Additionally, food donations are federally recognized tax deductible charitable contributions for non-C corporations. Click the following link for more information on tax deductions.

Reuse Wins! – Restaurants can save a substantial amount of money by switching to reusable dishes.

Public and employee relations: Businesses and organizations that do the right thing receive positive publicity from the local community for food donations and community involvement. We will welcome companies to share success stories on our Facebook or submit for sharing on our website.certainly advertise your contributions on our website and Facebook! Additionally, chefs and other employees are much more fulfilled knowing that the food they make is eaten by people that need it instead of being sent to the landfill.

The good news is there are lots of environmentally friendly ways to divert your organics!

Food Hauler | Food Rescue | Food Pantry

The Agency of Natural Resources created a “Universal Recycling Materials Management Map” (Materials Management Map). This map connects residents and businesses with collection services and food rescue agencies in order to reduce waste and increase systems to manage food waste for beneficial uses.

• Prepared Meals
• Unprepared Meat
• Perishable Foods
• Non-Perishable Foods
• Vermont Food Haulers
• Food Rescues

1. No need to worry about the liability of donating good food, you’re protected by Federal and State laws!

2. Need a break? Food donation is considered a charitable contribution for tax deductions.

3. It’s as simple as contacting a local food shelf, and following the state guidance for donating food safely.

Many people think of food waste as a benign substance. It rots down in the landfill anyway, so no problem, right?

Wrong! For food to compost properly, it needs light and air. In the landfill, it has neither. Instead, food without light and air produces methane gas, which contributes to global warming. It is estimated that we throw away one third of the food we buy each week!

The Barn Restaurant

A small restaurant and tavern on Route 30 in Pawlet, Vermont, The Barn uses connections with the local community to ensure that food doesn’t go to waste. All of the kitchen scraps are taken to feed chickens and pigs that the staff raise. The Barn also caters some events, and the leftover food is taken to the Pawlet firehouse by employees who have selflessly volunteered to drop the food off on their way home from working at the restaurant. The food is stored in a freezer and is then taken to the Open Door Mission in Rutland by a volunteer firefighter.

Mettawee Community School

Mettawee Community School had an idea to reduce their trash costs and environmental impact by composting its food scraps from the cafeteria. They have started an on-site composting program at the school. Food wastes are diverted to the on-site composting system.

In addition to what most people would classify as a business, schools, municipal offices, and town garages are also considered businesses when it comes to disposing of hazardous waste.

What rules apply to me?

If you use products that are corrosive, ignitable, reactive, or toxic, then you probably generate hazardous waste. Examples include solvents, paints, and vehicular fluids like motor oil, diesel fuel, and antifreeze, pesticides, cleaning solutions, and lab wastes. Fluorescent bulbs and some types of batteries are also considered hazardous.

If you use products that are corrosive, ignitable, reactive, or toxic, then you probably generate hazardous waste. Examples include solvents, paints, and vehicular fluids like motor oil, diesel fuel, and antifreeze, pesticides, cleaning solutions, and lab wastes. Consider “Greening Up” your business.

Many types of businesses and organizations create hazardous waste, including:

• Construction and painting contractors
• Printers
• Equipment repair shops
• Furniture refinishing shops
• Laboratories
• Dry cleaners
• Metal manufacturing operations
• Vehicle maintenance and auto body shops
• Farmers, nurseries, landscapers (businesses using pesticides or herbicides)
• Municipal entities – including schools, town offices, and town garages

What Are Your Disposal Options?

The Rutland County Solid Waste District accepts business hazardous waste at its hazardous waste facility located at Gleason Road in Rutland, Vermont.  A Permit is required to access the facility.

Purchase a Permit

Appointments:

If you plan on taking your waste to the Rutland County Solid Waste District Hazardous Waste Depot, it is necessary to schedule an appointment online.

Disposal Fees:

Disposal fees are based on the type and quantity of waste you bring to the facility or event. When you arrive for an appointment, your wastes will be inventoried. You will be charged a fee for the actual quantity of waste brought in rather than the volume of the container it is stored in.

If you have questions about hazardous materials, call Rutland County Solid Waste District at 800-775-7209.

What type of generator are you?

Hazardous waste should not be disposed of with ordinary garbage, or poured into the sewer system, down storm drains, or onto the ground. If disposed of improperly, it can harm the environment, human beings, and wildlife. Proper hazardous waste management makes good business sense, too, and can reduce your economic liability for cleanups, reduce your insurance costs, and minimize employee exposures.

Hazardous waste should always be disposed of through an approved hazardous waste management or recycling facility. There are private companies that provide hazardous waste management services to businesses and organizations. Businesses that generate small quantities of hazardous waste are known as Conditionally Exempt Generators (CEGs). If your business or organization is a CEG, you may be eligible to dispose of your waste through an agreement between the Solid Waste Alliance Communities and the Rutland County Solid Waste Management District.

Does Your Business Qualify as a CEG? A Conditionally Exempt Generator:

• Produces less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste each month (about 25 gallons of liquid waste that has a weight comparable to water);
• Produces less than 2.2 pounds of acutely** hazardous waste each month;
• Accumulates no more than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste on-site.

To determine whether you might be considered a CEG, estimate the waste you produce each month and inventory the hazardous waste currently on hand. If your business generates less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month and stores less than 2,200 pounds on site, you qualify as a CEG. If your business generates more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month or stores more than 2,200 pounds on site, you must manage your waste according to stricter regulations. For more information, call the Agency of Natural Resources, Waste Management Division at 802-241-3888. Here is a small quantity generator handbook that you may find helpful.

Business Hazardous Waste Resources