NWSWD.org

What Do I Do With…?  

Unsure of what to do with certain unwanted items? Maybe you have something that is too large for curbside collection, or potentially hazardous. Or items that could be reused or recycled?

NWSWD is assembling this easy-to-use, alphabetized index to help you quickly find the information you need, to properly dispose of unwanted household items. This is a work-in-progress, and we will be adding items to the list over the coming weeks.

Aerosol Containers

Empty aerosol containers are steel cans and can be recycled with your bottles, cans and plastics, therefore we encourage you to fully use any aerosol that you purchase.

If the can is not empty however, it is considered a hazardous waste and should be brought to an HHW collection 

Agricultural Plastic

Treat agricultural plastic like regular trash and have it disposed of properly.  The burning or burying of ag plastic is illegal.

Ammunition and Explosives

Ammunition cannot be collected at Drop-off Sites, a HHW collection, or any other collection sponsored by the District.  Contact the Vermont State Police for disposal options.

Appliances

Appliances, if in working condition, should be reused if possible.  Often an ad on Craigslist, the newspapter, or a website like Freecycle, for a free dryer, washer or the like, will be worth the effort.   The ReSTORE (Formerly ReCycle North) (802-658-4143) in Burlington can take large working appliances or for a fee pick them up. 

For appliances that do not work, the District maintains scrap metal drop off sites free of charge (click here for a list of drop-off sites) or the Hodgdon Scrap Yard in Swanton can accept them free of charge.  Refrigerators and air conditioners require special handling, please see Refrigerators later in this guide.

Asbestos

Asbestos fibers can be a serious health hazard if proper precautions are not taken to protect yourself.  If the asbestos is friable (crumbly, easily becomes airborne), it must be handled by an asbestos abatement contractor (look in the Yellow Pages).

If it is not friable, it may be disposed of directly in a landfill. For detailed instructions, contact one of the privately operated landfills in Vermont:

·         Waste USA in Coventry - (802) 334-8300

·         WSI Landfill in Moretown - (802) 244-1100

For more information, contact the Vermont Department of Health Asbestos Hotline: (800) 439-8550.

Aseptic containers (juice boxes)

Aseptic containers are not recyclable within the Northwest Solid Waste Management District. Please discard them as trash. Aseptic containers, commonly containing single servings of juice and soy milk, are made up of six layers of paper, aluminum foil, and polyethylene. These layers must be separated to recycle the containers. Unfortunately, there is currently no local facility that can achieve this separation.

If you do wish to recycle the containers, you can send them to a special facility in Virginia. All you have to do is drain, rinse, and flatten aseptic boxes, package them (mark the package with the word “cartons”) and mail to:

Tidewater Fibers
12206 Old Stage Road
Chester, VA 23836

Ashes

You may dispose of wood or coal ash as garbage, but be sure that they are cold. Wetting ashes down before disposal is strongly recommended. In small quantities, ashes from clean wood (woodstoves and fireplaces) are fine to add to a compost pile. Wood ash will raise the pH and add potassium to the pile, but too much ash will reduce pore spaces and make the pile too alkaline.

Asphalt

Asphalt is accepted at no charge by Pike Industries in Williston (658-0453) and Ranger Asphalt & Concrete in Colchester (655-3976). These items are also accepted as C & D at some of our drop off sites.

Automobiles

Junk cars can be brought to Hodgdon Scrap Yard.  You may also want to look in the Yellow Pages under Junk Dealers for other options or for removal.  If your car still works and is in good condition, perhaps you want to think about donating it to Good News Garage in Burlington 1-877-Give-Auto (448-3288).

Batteries

Standard alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, 9- Volt, C, D) can be disposed of in the regular trash once dead.

Lithium batteries-  the short fat kind used in many cameras can be disposed of in the regular trash once dead.  If the battery is still usable itcan be taken to an HHW event or droped off at our Georgia Facility.

Rechargeable batteries- [NiCad, Lithium Ion,  sealed lead] these are the batteries found in cell phones, laptops, and power tools.   If smaller than 2 lbs can be brought to the District office for free recycling or brought to an HHW event.

Button Cell batteries-from hearing aids, watches and other small electronics can be recycled at the District office or brought to an HHW event (see here).

lead acid (car batteries)- can be brought for recycling to the District office in Georgia, any Advantage Automotive store, Gorgia Auto Parts,  or brought to a District HHW event.

Cell phone batteries, rechargeable batteries, & NiCad batteries are also accepted for free at Staples and Best Buy.

Books

Paperback books are recyclable and can be placed directly in your blue bin and picked up with the rest of your curbside recycling, or brought to one of our Drop-Off Centers. All books must be clean and dry. Discard wet, moldy or mildewy books with your household trash.

Large loads (over one cubic yard) of hard cover books should be brought to Canusa Hershman Recycling Company on 33 Rewes Drive in St. Albans, VT. The fee is $35/ton (no minimum charge; fee subject to change). Call ahead at (802) 527-1707 to confirm space availability and hours of operation.

Reuse Options:

Donating your books to a local library or charity may be an option depending on the quality and content of the books.

There are also several textbook recyclers that will take your old textbooks and put them back into circulation. A list of some of these companies can be found below:

Textbook Recycle

BooksFirst

Green Textbooks

Building Materials 

Waste materials generated during the construction or demolition of a building (wood, sheet rock, roofing, etc.) 

If you have used building materials in good condition, they may be accepted for reuse at the private businesses listed below:

·         Mason Brothers - 879-4221

·         ReSOURCES'  ReBUILD Center - 658-4143

Small quantities (less than 1 cubic yard) of used building materials are also are accepted as construction and demolition waste at the following NWSWD Drop-Off Centers. The fee is based on volume.

·       North Hero Transfer Station

·       Alburgh Transfer Station

Large loads of used building materials should be taken to the privately-operated transfer station in Highgate. Fees are based on weight.

Cell Phones

There are a number of options for broken or unwanted cell phones.  You can donate your working cell phone to Voices Against Violence in St. Albans for use by victims of domestic violence.

The phone can also be donated to the Barlow Street Community Teen Center, they collect them as a fundraiser and are given $1.00 per phone by a company that recycles them. 

You can also bring them to the District office for recycling.

Cell phones are also accepted for recycling at the NWSWD Offices in Georgia and at the local stores listed below. Contact the store directly for hours of operation.

Best Buy -- 26 Cypress, Williston. NOTE: Best Buy also accepts rechargeable batteries.

Sprint PCS Store -- 166 Sycamore, Williston, (802) 872-7732

Staples -- 1375 Maple Tree Place, Williston and 861 Williston Rd, South Burlington, (802) 872-0260 NOTE: Staples also accepts pagers and rechargeable batteries.

Verizon -- 825 Williston Rd, South Burlington, (802) 865-3100

Cardboard 

Cardboard is accepted as a recyclable material. Please place directly in your blue bin and set it out with the rest of your curbside recycling, or bring it in to one of our Drop-Off Center locations.

For a complete list of accepted recyclable items click here.

CDs

Small electronic waste and accessories may be recycled in our electronics recycling program!  This includes our “Mixed Bag” recycling option. Drop off a grocery-sized bag of unwanted “technotrash,” including software, computer chips, disks, miscellaneous parts, adaptors, cords, cables, CDs/DVDs, cassette tapes, VHS tapes, etc. for a flat fee of just $5.

Want more options for disposing of technotrash such as CDs and cassettes?

There are several other companies you can contact to help you dispose of your technotrash.

Visit Green Disk which offers “one place for you to dispose of everything from a CD to a PC and most of the technotrash in between.” Plus, they “even come and get it.”

CD Recycling Center is another great resource for individuals, small companies and large companies wanting to set up an on-site CD recycling program.

MRC Polymers is another company that accepts CDs and recycles them at no cost. The only cost involved is shipping the boxes.

Plastic CD cases are recyclable and can be put in your blue bin and set out with the rest of your curbside recycling or brought to a Recycling Drop-off facility.  Please make sure to separate any paper and cardboard inserts from the plastic case.

Clothes, textiles, and rags

Wearable clothes can be given to the Salvation Army , another charity, or you can use one of the many consignment shops around the area.  Look in the Yellow Pages under “Consignment Shops & Services.”

Non-wearable cloths can be used as rags for cleaning or garage and tool shop work.  Oily rags should be brought to an HHW event for disposal.

Computers, TVs, and electronics

Appliances, if in working condition, should be reused if possible.  Often an ad on Craigslist, the newspapter, or a website like Freecycle, for a free dryer, washer or the like, will be worth the effort.   The ReSTORE (Formerly ReCycle North) (802-658-4143) in Burlington can take large working appliances or for a fee pick them up.

These items can be recycled for a fee with the District’s computer recycling program (see here).  Broken TVs and other electronics can also be disposed of during Special Collection events (see here for schedule and fees) or at the North Hero transfer station.

Dairy Tubs and Yogurt Containters 

Dairy tubs and yogurt containers are accepted as an All-in-One recyclable material. Please place directly in your blue bin and set out with the rest of your curbside recycling, or bring it in to one of our Drop-Off Center locations.

For a complete list of accepted recyclable items click here.

Dirt, Sod, & Clean Fill 

For larger amounts of dirt, sod, or clean fill there are several disposal options. First, look in the classifieds for places that accept clean fill or for signs along the road advertising the need for clean fill. You can also contact your local town office or that of surrounding towns for any information they may have of private, commercial, or municipal sites accepting clean fill.

Large amounts of dirt, sod, or clean fill are also accepted at the following locations:

·       Ranger Asphalt, 1607 Mallets Bay Ave. Colchester, 655-3976, $1.50/cubic yard, $20 minimum charge. Call for hours.

·       Ted Beaudoin, Middle Road, Milton, 893-4083. Only dirt, sod, brush, stones, and yard debris are accepted. Stumps are not accepted. No charge. Call ahead for drop-off hours.

Fire Extinguishers 

Some fire extinguishers can be refilled. Contact your retailer or the manufacturer to learn more about this option. Unwanted fire extinguishers are accepted at District HHW Collection Events (District residents only)

Fully discharged fire extinguishers can be accepted at Drop-Off Centers in Georgia, North Hero, Alburgh as scrap metal for no charge and in Grand Isle for a fee.

Fluorscent Lamps 

Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes (straight, circular and U-shaped), compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, UV radiation tubes, HID bulbs, and metal halide and sodium bulbs contain mercury and are all considered hazardous and need to be disposed of at our Georgia Facility or one of our HHW Events (District residents only).   Click here for a schedule of events and fees.

Also some localized outlets, such as those listed below,  offer CFL recycling services, usually at no cost, either on their own or as part of utility-run programs.

·       Aubuchon's St. Albans 802-524-9855 - CFL Bulb Recycling Center

·       Aubuchon's Enosburg Falls 802- 933-2972 - CFL Bulb Recycling Center

·       Home Depot Williston

Furniture, Mattresses, & Household Goods 

The District offers several Special Trash Collections throughout the year for these items (see here for a schedule and fees).  They can also be disposed of at NWSWD Drop-off Sites in North Hero and Alburgh or the Highgate Transfer Station for a fee (see here). 

If you have items in good shape reuse should be your first option. 

·         ReSOURCES' ReSTORE- 658-4143

·         local charities and used furniture stores are a great reuse option. Refer to the Yellow Pages for a complete listing

Gasoline 

Gasoline and gas oil mixes are accepted at the District's HHW Events (District residents only).

Glass 

Food and beverage glass containers are accepted as part of our recycling program. For a full list of items that are accepted in our all-in-one recycling program, please click here.

Window pane glass or other ceramics and glassware are not accepted for recycling. Windows complete with casings are accepted at our NWSWD Full-Service Drop-Off Centers as construction and demolition debris. Fees will be charged based on window size. For a list of Drop-Off Center fees click here .

Please note: broken window pane glass or glassware should be discarded as household trash. The ingredients used to make glassware or window pane glass is different from what goes into container glass for bottles and jars, thus deeming it non-recyclable.

Hazardous Waste Items 

The District holds Household Hazardous Waste Collection events around Franklin and Grand Isle counties.  Click here for details,  Includes oil, antifreeze, oil based paint and stains, gasoline, mercury containing items, pesticides, fertilizers, and more.

Latex Paint 

Latex Paint is not a hazardous waste. First, try to purchase only the amount of paint you will need.  If you have left over latex paint, and it is still useable, you can recycle it with Newton’s Home Decorating Center in St. Albans, 524-9258. 

If it is not useable, you will have to dry the paint completely, adding sand or kitty litter will speed this process, and then dispose of it in the regular trash.

Leaves, Brush, and Yard Waste 

Composting is the best answer for these types of materials.  Piling leaves, brush and yard waste near your composter will provide you with ample material throughout the year to generate compost for your garden.  You can rent a small chipper for little money to turn larger brush into mulch for your compost or garden.

Natural wood, including brush and tree limbs is accepted at the North Hero Transfer Station the first and third Saturdays of the month during the summer.  Large branches or logs should be no more than 6″ in diameter. Please keep log lengths to a manageable size. Stumps are not accepted. The cost to bring clean wood waste is $10 per cubic yard (prorated for smaller amounts) for residents. Residents may check with their town clerk or the local fire warden for restrictions on open burning of wood waste.  The District offers one large collections each year for leaves that homeowners cannot compost in the Fall, please call us, 524-5986 for details.

Brush and yard waste is also accepted at:

·       Ted Beaudoin, Middle Road, Milton, 893-4083. Only dirt, sod, brush, stones, and yard debris are accepted. Stumps are not accepted. No charge. Call ahead for drop-off hours.

PLEASE NOTE: All stumps, including those with dirt and stones are accepted at the following locations:

Ranger Asphalt and Concrete Processing LLC (1607 Mallets Bay, Colchester, 655-3976) at $5 per yard; or $20 minimum charge. Additional charge may apply for oversized stumps. Please call Ranger directly to confirm cost.

Light Bulbs

Halogen, incandescent, and infrared lightbulbs do not contain hazardous materials and can be disposed of with regular household trash.

Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes (straight, circular and U-shaped), compact fluorescent light bulbs, UV radiation tubes, HID bulbs, and metal halide and sodium bulbs all contain mercury and should not be disposed of in the trash.  These items need to be disposed of at our Full Service Drop-Off Centers, the NWSWD offices, or a Household Hazardous Waste Collection (District residents only). For a schedule of events click here.

If you break a mercury-containing bulb, visit the Mercury Education & Reduction Campaign for information on proper clean-up and disposal of broken bulbs.  (NOTE: No broken mercury-containing devices will be accepted at the Drop-Off Centers. All broken items need to go to a HHW collection.)

Medical Needles

To dispose of syringes safely, ask your pharmacist or physician if they will take them back for disposal.  If not, please do the following:

Place the syringes in a plastic bottle (soda bottle or water bottle will work) and place a label on the bottle that reads “USED SYRINGES- DO NOT RECYLE”

Fill the bottle, and when full cap the bottle tightly and tape it, then throw the bottle in the trash– Do Not Recycle this bottle.

Medicine

In most cases, unwanted medications should be placed in the trash. There are three exceptions:

• Head lice shampoo – accepted at a District HHW Event.  No other prescription medications will be accepted.
• Chemotherapy drugs – return to pharmacy or cancer clinic
• Anti-neoplastic medicine – return to pharmacy or cancer clinic

NOTE: Please do not flush unwanted medication down the drain. Medications can pass through water treatment plants and enter the environment, harming wildlife. They also may disrupt your septic system or the water treatment facility.

Mercury-Containing Devices

Some common household items contain mercury, including thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs, ballasts, etc. Mercury-containing items should NOT be discarded as trash. These items are accepted at NWSWD sites in North Hero and Georgia and at HHW collections.

FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS- see above

Businesses with other mercury-containing devices should call the NWSWD  at 524-5986 to schedule an appointment.

(NOTE: No broken mercury-containing devices will be accepted at the Drop-Off Centers. All broken items need to go to a HHW collection.)

Used motor oil, oil filters, and all vehicle crankcase and gearbox oils and fluids including, antifreeze, brake fluid, differential fluid, gear oil, hydraulic fluid, motor oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, 2-cycle oil, and bar and chain oil are accepted at all NWSWD HHW Events (District residents only).  Certain restrictions apply and are explained in more detail here.  You should also check with your local garage or auto part's store about possible disposal options.

Packaging Peanuts 

First, these bits of Styrofoam are not recyclable through the local drop off programs or with your curbside hauler since a lack of markets and material make it unfeasible to recycle Styrofoam in most places. 

  However, there are a few local options for the recycling of packaging peanuts:

·         Mail It (Highgate)  Call them at 868-5987 to make arrangements.

·         Branon Maple Products- 827-3914

·         Carman Brook Farm- 1-888-84-MAPLE (6-2753) www.cbmaplefarm.com

For styrofoam other than peanuts:  if you are willing to mail your Styrofoam packaging via the US Postal Service you can do so to:

Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers
1298 Cronson Boulevard
Suite 201
Crofton, MD 21114
(410)451-8340 (phone)

Pizza Boxes

  Clean pizza boxes are accepted for recycling at all town drop-off locations and by haulers offering curbside recycling in the Northwest Solid Waste Management District. Just remove stuck on food and recycle it along with other mixed paper. 

If the pizza box is too greasy or has too much food stuck on it, try composting the greasy parts instead!

Plastic Bags 

Even though plastic bags are NOT accepted as part of NWSWD's recycling program, several local grocery stores WILL accept your plastic bags for recycling. The stores who participate in a plastic bag recycling program include:

·         Shaw's

·         Hannaford's  

·         Wal-Mart

In most cases all plastic bags are eligible for recycling as long as they are clean. Contact your local store for any restrictions.

Plastics

NWSWD is now accepting plastics #1-7. This includes most containers and packaging made from plastics #1-7 such as bottles, jugs, yogurt containers, dairy tubs, and clear plastic hinged takeout containers. Styrofoam, plastic toys, and plastic bags are still NOT accepted. Plastic recyclables are accepted at all CSWD Drop-Off Centers and by all haulers offering curbside recycling in Chittenden County.  Just remove lids smaller than 2" in diameter, rinse clean, and recycle them along with other bottles and cans.

NOTE: Empty plastic motor oil and transmission fluid bottles are NOT accepted locally as recyclables and should be disposed of with your regular trash.

Propane Tanks  

Return to the retailer for refill or exchange.  The new style tanks are refillable. Please check with a local hardware store or convenience store for an exchange program.

The old-style tanks are no longer being refilled. NWSWD has a few options to dispose of your old 20-pound tank (whether it's empty or still containing gas) in an economical and environmentally responsible manner.

Option 1: Take your old tank to a store that offers an exchange program (such as Home Depot). They will accept your old tank and give you a full tank in exchange (with the new-style valve). The fee ranges from $19.98 to more than $30, but you will leave with a new tank.

Option 2: RECYCLE IT WITH NWSWD. For obsolete tanks, please bring them to an HHW event (see here).  This is true for the smaller one pound tanks as well.

For large propane tanks (100 pound) or other compressed gases, return to the retailer or manufacturer.

Printer and Toner Cartridges

Some printer and toner cartridges can be refilled. To learn more about this option, contact:

·       Ribbon Recyclers - 185 Commerce St., Williston; 660-8960

·       Vermont Toner Recharge - 400 Ave. D, Suite 30, Williston; 864-7637

·       Vermont Lions District 45 has established a recycling program for inkjet and laser toner cartridges to help raise funds for their Sight and Hearing programs. Please click here to learn more about this option.

·       Staples will take any inkjet and toner cartridges, and will give you a $3 coupon for your efforts.

·       Best Buy has an inkjet cartridge recycling kiosk located just inside the front door of its store locations. Free to drop-off all inkjet cartridges for recycling.

·       Sharp Copier Toner Cartridge Program offers an easy way for Sharp customers to recycle their toner cartridges. Simply download pre-paid, pre-addressed UPS shipping labels from the Sharp website Sharp website to ship out your used toner cartridges. To facilitate bulks shipments, help conserve resources and reduce energy use, customers can also order recycled cardboard boxes that hold up to ten used cartridges. These cartons arrive via UPS, you fill them up, and then you ship them off to be recycled. How cool is that?

·       Also, you should always check to see if the NEW printer cartridge you purchase comes with an envelope to return the old one. A number of companies are providing this option.

Empty toner cartridges are not recyclable in your blue bin or at any NWSWD facility and should be discarded as trash -- regardless of any recycling symbols on the cartridge.

Railroad Ties

Small quantities of railroad ties are accepted at all NWSWD Full-Service Drop-Off Centers. The fee is based on volume. Large loads of railroad ties should be taken to one of the privately-operated transfer stations. Fees are based on weight.

Recyclable Materials

See here for a full list of materials that can be recycled in this area and see here for local drop off sites, transfer station, and haulers.  Remember, recycling is mandatory for District residents and businesses and licensed haulers MUST provide  recycling services if they pick up your trash.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators and other refrigeration units (air conditioners, dehumidifiers, freezers, etc.) contain CFC’s, an ozone depleting gas.  Therefore, refrigeration units must be drained of this gas before they can be scrapped.  The District accepts refrigerators at Special Collections (see here) and at the North Hero Transfer Station.  Call the District for other options.

Scrap Metal  

Scrap metal is accepted for recycling at NWSWD Facilities in North Hero, Georgia, and Alburgh or at Special Trash Collection Events (see here). There is no fee to drop off scrap metal. There may be a $5.00 special handling fee assessed for large/bulky items that customers cannot get into the scrap metal bin themselves. 

Scrap metal includes most bicycles, desks, filing cabinets, book shelves, barbeque grills, lawn furniture, lawn mowers or car parts (drained of ALL fluids see above), doors, windows, screens (remove glass panes if possible), nails, nuts, or bolts, siding or roofing material, and any item that is at least 80% metal. The type of metal is not important. Even electrical wiring contains metal that can be recycled and may be placed in the scrap metal bin.

Other items accepted as scrap metal at the  locations listed above, at no charge include:

Helium tanks: Release all the remaining helium. Once you are confident the tank is empty or no longer under any pressure, remove the valve. We can then accept it as scrap metal.

For commercial quantities of scrap metal there are several area scrap metal recyclers. Please contact them directly with any questions regarding large quantities of scrap metal ( see below):

• Hodgdon's Scrap Yard - (Rte. 78, Swanton)
• Rathes Salvage--(802) 655-0651 (Colchester, VT)
• All Metals Recycling - 472-5100 Hardwick

Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide  

Alternatively, smoke detectors may be mailed back to the manufacturer for recycling.  Mail smoke detectors by surface or UPS ground mail. (Specify on the package that they should not be shipped via air.)  Contact the manufacturer’s toll-free number for instructions and mailing address. 

Two manufacturers that make a large percentage of the smoke detectors in use may be reached at the following numbers:

• First Alert/BRK Brands (Aurora, IL) 800-323-9005
• American Sensors (Canada) 800-387-4219

Businesses with smoke detectors should call the Vermont Environmental Assistance Division in Waterbury, at 1-800-974-9559, to receive information about proper disposal.

Styrofoam 

Styrofoam block packaging, meat trays, cups, plates or packing peanuts, are currently not accepted for recycling. Styrofoam should be discarded with your trash. Styrofoam packaging peanuts ARE accepted at no charge at a variety of local businesses for reuse.    

Tires

The District offers several Special Trash collections throughout the year for tires (see here for schedule and fees).