2022
WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
ANNUAL REPORT TO MEMBER TOWNS
Bob Spencer, Executive Director
John Fay, Programs Manager
History and Current Status: The Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD) was formed in 1988 by eight towns who cooperatively managed a 30-acre landfill on Old Ferry Road, Brattleboro until it closed in 1995. As more towns joined the District, a regional materials recovery facility (MRF) was constructed by the District adjacent to the closed landfill and processed dual-stream recyclable materials for 20 years until it stopped operating in 2017. Currently 18 towns are members of WSWMD which employs 6 full-time and 3 part-time persons to provide educational programs and operate the transfer station and composting facility on Old Ferry Road.
Town Solid Waste Services: Seven member towns, Dover, Jamaica, Readsboro, Stratton, Townshend, Wardsboro, and Wilmington operate transfer stations for trash and recyclable materials. Other materials such as tires and electronics are also collected by some transfer stations, and most of the single stream recyclables are processed at the Casella MRF in Rutland. All town transfer stations are required to provide containers for drop-off of food scraps. Three towns, Brookline, Halifax, and Marlboro provide 24-7 drop-off sites for recyclables. Three towns, Brattleboro, Vernon, and Westminster provide residential curbside trash and recycling collection. Five towns, Dummerston, Guilford, Newfane, Putney, and Somerset do not provide any trash or recycling services. Residents and businesses can contract with haulers for trash and recycling collection services. There are also two companies providing subscription collection of food scraps. The WSWMD website has a map showing the services provided by each town.
Financial Report: WSWMD finished fiscal year 2022 (FY22) with a budget surplus of $224,887, which has been allocated toward the construction of the expanded compost facility. Revenues of $1,500,194 off-set total expenses of $1,206,748 and $68,559 of capital reserves and expenses.
The annual assessment to member towns for fiscal year 2023 was kept the same as the prior year, although each town’s respective assessment varied due to population changes using the new 2020 census figures.
Transfer Station: The WSWMD transfer station is a regional drop-off center for trash, recyclables, organics/food scraps, construction & demolition debris, scrap metal, and appliances. The transfer station also handles electronics, fluorescent tubes, ballasts, lead-acid and household batteries, waste oil and oil filters, paint, sharps/syringes, textiles, books, tires, and household hazardous waste. Use of the transfer station is limited to residents and businesses from member communities and requires the purchase of an access sticker at $40/year. Approximately 3,000 customers purchase annual access stickers. There is no additional charge for recycling and composting. Fees are presented at www.windhamsolidwaste.org.
Materials Recovery Facility (MRF): The District voted to close the MRF in July 2017 but continues to accept cardboard from commercial sources. Cardboard is baled and sold, generating revenue for the District. Revenue in FY22 was exceptionally high at $166,000 due to the strong markets for recycled cardboard.
Composting Facility: Of all recyclable materials handled by the District, the only ones that are reused locally are food scraps and yard debris. The food scrap composting facility is in its 9th year of operation and is the 2nd largest food scrap composting facility in Vermont. WSWMD donates compost for school and community gardens.
As the food scrap composting mandates of Act 148 have been phased in, the total quantity of food scraps processed at the site have increased each year, and therefore the District is pursuing a capital expansion project at the facility. The new composting facility will have a building with aerated windrows, air collection for odor control, as well as rainwater and liquid management systems for the compost piles. The expansion will allow the District to continue to locally manage organic wastes while meeting state permitting requirements for a larger capacity facility.
Solid Waste Implementation Plan (SWIP): All towns in Vermont are required to meet state solid waste management requirements through implementation of an authorized SWIP. The District writes and implements a SWIP on behalf of all its member towns, and so provides compliance and the accompanying services to each member town. 2022 was the third year of the five-year term of the current SWIP, which addresses household hazardous waste collection, education and outreach, as well as numerous other requirements.
Solar Array: WSWMD leases its capped landfill to Greenbacker Capital to operate a 5 mega-watt solar array, the largest group net-metered project in the state. Greenbacker has contracted to provide solar power for 20 years to the towns of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Halifax, Newfane, Readsboro, Vernon, Wardsboro, and Wilmington.; schools in Brattleboro, Marlboro, Putney, and Vernon; as well as Landmark College, Marlboro College, and the Brattleboro Retreat. The project provides significant cost savings for municipal and school budgets. Greenbacker Capital has a 20-year lease and pays the District a minimum of $120,290/year for use of the landfill, as well as 50% of renewable energy credits, for total annual revenue of over $250,000.
Household Hazardous Waste: Management of household hazardous waste is a costly and difficult service required by state regulations. Member towns benefit by having the District provide this service to all District residents and small businesses. In 2022, the WSWMD operated the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Depot and sponsored special one-day events in Readsboro and Wilmington. This year, 355 households were served by the program, a slight increase from last year. The HHW Depot is open by appointment one day each week from May through October. The average cost per user at the Depot is $75, which is covered by a user fee of $10, a Vermont DEC grant program, and operating costs of the District. At the special one-day events, costs are much higher, typically about $200 per user. The Depot provides a convenient and cost-effective way for residents and small businesses to dispose of their hazardous waste.
Community Outreach & Technical Assistance: The District continues to provide technical assistance for schools, businesses, and towns. In 2022, WSWMD’s programs were expanded by a grant of $68,000 from the US Department of Agriculture. Under the grant project, the District has been able to provide member town transfer stations with new signage and technical assistance; recycling and composting workshops at schools in Guilford, Marlboro, Vernon, Newfane/Brookline, and Brattleboro; assistance in how to improve waste management in over 40 businesses; and new videos and other educational resources available on our website. A $5,000 grant from the Windham Foundation was instrumental in establishing food scrap collection in four downtown Brattleboro buildings with a mix of retail, office, and residential tenants.
Special Event Outreach and Technical Assistance: WSWMD has 20 sets of bins for collecting recyclables, food scraps, and trash at special events. They are available to towns, businesses, residents, and institutions for use at fairs, festivals, weddings, etc. In addition, WSWMD offers free technical assistance to help events reduce their waste.