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Containers with material should be disposed at Household Hazardous Waste collection facilities or events, while empty containers can be recycled with other metals.

Aluminum cans and foil are banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont. Recycle them through your blue-bin recycling program or at a transfer station or they may be returned for a deposit if they are marked for deposit return.

Aluminum foil is banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont. Recycle them through your blue-bin recycling program or at a transfer station. Clean, dry aluminum foil, pie plates and pans may be recycled in curbside bins or at any transfer station. Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) cannot process items smaller than 2” so ball up aluminum foil into a larger component before placing in your recycling bin

Ammunition is not accepted at transfer stations, nor should it be put in the trash. You may contact local firearm dealers to see if they will accept it or contact the Vermont State Police.

Antifreeze should not be thrown in the trash and is accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

Large appliances/white goods are banned from Vermont landfills.

Appliances are generally accepted at all transfer stations. Items with Freon may only be accepted at stations that can have that material removed.

Appliances are also accepted at Fosters Cannery in Bennington. Call Fosters at (802) 440-9001 for more information.

Asbestos is not accepted at transfer stations or the Household Hazardous Waste collection facility. Learn more about proper handling of asbestos materials by visiting the Vermont Department of Health.

Currently, only the Bennington transfer station accepts asphalt shingles for recycling. Call your local transfer station to see if they accept this material.

Opportunities for donating old baby products and Toys can be found at:

Baby and Child Product Exchange

VT Mama’s Pay It Forward

Batteries are banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont. Batteries should never be placed in your blue-bin/curbside recycling. Vermont has a statewide battery stewardship program that provides free recycling for single-use and rechargeable batteries through designated collection locations.

Batteries covered by the program include alkaline, lithium, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, button-cell, carbon-zinc, zinc-manganese, and small sealed lead-acid batteries. Single-use and rechargeable batteries up to 25 pounds or 2,000 watt-hours can be recycled for free through the Vermont Battery Stewardship Program.

Find a battery recycling location:
Battery Recycling Location Finder – Call2Recycle / The Battery Network

Local Battery Drop-Off Locations

The following locations in the BCSWA service area accept household batteries:

• EZ Way Rental — 115 County St., Bennington — (802) 442-8393
• The Home Depot — 121 N. Bennington Rd., Bennington — (802) 447-9997 — rechargeable power-tool batteries only
• Miles Lumber — 178 Chittenden Dr., Arlington — (802) 375-2525
• R.K. Miles Inc. — 691 Depot St., Manchester — (802) 362-1952
• Staples — 5 Kocher Dr., Bennington — (802) 442-3919
• Bennington Transfer Station — 904 Houghton Lane, Bennington — (802) 499-4370
• Northshire Transfer Station — 310 Tennis Way, Dorset — (802) 499-4370
• Shaftsbury Transfer Station — 510 North Road, Shaftsbury — (802) 442-4038
• Pownal Transfer Station — Maple Grove Rd., Pownal — (802) 379-1470
• Sunderland Transfer Station — 4561 Sunderland Hill Rd., Arlington — (802) 499-4370
• Tractor Supply — 300 Depot St., Bennington — (802) 440-9937
• Manchester Town Offices — 40 Jeff Williams Way, Manchester — (802) 362-1313
• Bennington Community Market — 239 Main St., Bennington — (802) 474-2051

For the most current list of accepted batteries and local collection locations, visit the BCSWA Batteries page: BCSWA Battery Recycling Information

Larger Lead-Acid Batteries

Large lead-acid batteries, including automotive, marine, and motorcycle batteries, can be recycled for free at participating retailers, auto-parts stores, salvage yards, and transfer stations. In the BCSWA service area, local options include:

• Tractor Supply — 300 Depot St., Bennington — (802) 440-9937
• Advance Auto Parts — 113 Northside Dr., Bennington — (802) 447-0779
• NAPA Auto Parts — 201 Benmont Ave., Bennington — (802) 442-6387
• NAPA Auto Parts — 5219 Route 7A, Manchester — (802) 362-1708
• Bennington Transfer Station — 904 Houghton Lane, Bennington — (802) 499-4370
• Pownal Transfer Station — Maple Grove Rd., Pownal — (802) 379-1470
• Northshire Transfer Station — 310 Tennis Way, Dorset — (802) 499-4370
• Sunderland Transfer Station — 4561 Sunderland Hill Rd., Arlington — (802) 499-4370

Contact the location before visiting to confirm that it accepts your specific battery type.

Safety: To help prevent fires, lithium-based batteries, button-cell batteries, and batteries greater than 9 volts should have their terminals covered with clear tape or be placed in a clear bag before recycling. Damaged, swollen, leaking, or overheating lithium batteries require special handling; do not place them in a regular battery collection box.

Battery Stewardship Program: Vermont’s battery recycling program is an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program funded by battery manufacturers.

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation – Battery Recycling Program

Vermont’s Bottle Bill provides a deposit-refund system for certain beverage containers purchased in Vermont. Covered containers can be returned to a certified redemption center or participating retailer to receive the deposit refund.

Covered beverages include beer and other malt beverages, carbonated non-alcoholic beverages such as soda and sparkling water, and liquor and spirits.

To receive a refund, containers must have the Vermont redemption message and be empty, clean, and unbroken. Containers purchased outside of Vermont are not eligible for a Vermont deposit refund.

Find a redemption center:
Vermont Certified Redemption Centers – Vermont DEC

Learn more about Vermont’s Bottle Bill:
Vermont’s Bottle Bill – Vermont DEC

Not all beverage containers are covered by the Bottle Bill. For example, wine, hard cider, non-carbonated beverages such as bottled water and milk, and beverages purchased outside Vermont are not currently covered.

Note for recycling: Bottle Bill containers are handled through the redemption system rather than regular blue-bin recycling. BCSWA identifies glass beverage containers as a form of special recycling that should not be placed in single-stream recycling.

Clean blankets and bedding can be donated and recycled at textile drop boxes and at several non-profit agencies located within the Alliance area. Visit our Clothing and Textiles page for a complete listing of acceptable materials and locations. Clothing and textiles should not be thrown in the trash.

Book collection boxes from Bay State Books provide a free residential recycling option for books at a number of local transfer stations (see list below).

Bay State Books is a book collection and online reselling company which re-distributes, resells, donates, and recycles used books. For large scale or estate scale book disposal a special a one-day collection can be scheduled by visiting www.baystatebooks.com.

Books can also be donated to local libraries or sold to used bookstores in the area.

Pownal Transfer Station
Maple Grove Road
Pownal, Vermont

Bennington Transfer Station
914 Houghton Lane
Bennington, Vermont

Sunderland Transfer Station
4561 Sunderland Hill Rd.
Arlington, Vermont

Northshire Transfer Station
310 Tennis Way
Dorset, Vermont

Plastic caps that can be screwed back on plastic bottles may be recycled with the bottle. Metal caps (beer, soda) that cannot be placed back on the bottle DO NOT go into recycling because they are too small to be processed properly and should be collected and discarded with scrap metal at a transfer station. Any other cap that is not made of metal should be thrown into the trash.

These can be recycled. Visit this site for more information: https://www.brita.com/recycling-filters/

Cable/satellite receivers of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Calculators of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Used or outdated car seats should not be donated for reuse for safety reasons and cannot be recycled through curbside collection or transfer stations. Target hosts take-back events scheduled at certain times during the year for old car seats, regardless of their condition. CarSeatRecycling and Terracycle also have recycling programs for car seats for a fee.

Cardboard is banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont. Cardboard is accepted in curbside recycling and at all transfer stations. Break/cut larger pieces down so that they can be easily removed from your bin at curbside.

CD and DVD cases that cannot be reused or donated may be thrown in the trash. Greendisk also accepts these materials for recycling for a fee and shipping.

Donate good condition tiles to Habitat For Humanity Restore or resell on sites such as Front Porch Forum, and Facebook. Tile materials are made of vinyl or mineral fibers and should be thrown in the trash. Commercial contractors with a large quantity to dispose of may recycle any brand tile through Armstrong Ceilings Recycling Program.

Cell phones may be accepted at E-Waste sites or at retailers. Cell phone dealers such as ATT, Verizon, Sprint and others may also accepted old cell phones. Be sure to remove your personal information (For Apple, and Android).

Clean wood is banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont. Clean wood is accepted at all transfer stations and at the TAM Pownal Facility. There may be a charge for disposing of clean wood.

Clean clothing and textiles can be donated and recycled at textile drop boxes and at several non-profit agencies located within the Alliance area. Visit our Clothing and Textiles page for a complete listing of acceptable materials and locations. Clothing and textiles should not be thrown in the trash.

Coffee brewers of any brand that are less than 40 lbs. may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Coffee pods made of plastic, such as K-Cups, should be disposed of with regular household trash. They do not belong in the recycling bin due to their small size.The Keurig company offers a bulk recycling program for used pods. (Additional fees apply)

Coffee pods with a simple fabric or paper shell – and no other material – can be composted in a backyard composting pile, placed in the food scrap bins at transfer stations or picked up by a food scrap hauler. If not composted, they can be thrown in the trash.

Computers and computer peripherals (e.g. keyboards, mice, etc.) are accepted at a number of transfer stations, Goodwill stores, and Staples. Visit our Computers and Electronics page for full details and participating locations. Computers and electronics are banned from the trash in Vermont.

Some transfer stations may accept construction and demolition debris (C & D) for a fee. Contact your local transfer station to see if they accept these materials.

Contact lenses and their blister packaging can be recycled through Bausch & Lomb in partnership with TerraCycle. Visit their website for the nearest drop-off location. DO NOT flush contact lenses down the toilet, as they break down into microparticles that impact the environment.

Digital & video cameras of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores. Weight limits may apply.

Disaster debris should be separated by material type and managed appropriately. Following a flood, storm, fire, or other disaster, do not place all debris together in the trash. Proper separation helps protect public health, the environment, and workers handling the debris.

Hazardous or Dangerous Materials

Disaster-impacted hazardous materials—including paint, gasoline, oil, pesticides, chemicals, propane cylinders, large batteries, electronics, and other toxic, flammable, or dangerous materials—must be kept separate from regular trash and debris. Many of these materials are banned from disposal in Vermont landfills.

Do not mix hazardous materials together. Keep materials in their original containers when possible, and do not transport leaking or damaged containers unless you have received appropriate instructions.

BCSWA Household Hazardous Waste Information

BCSWA HHW Appointment Information

Vegetative Debris

Tree limbs, branches, leaves, brush, and other clean, untreated wood should be separated from other disaster debris. Clean wood and leaf and yard debris are banned from disposal in Vermont landfills.

These materials should be brought to an appropriate stump dump, clean-wood collection site, or other approved location.

BCSWA Leaf, Yard & Clean Wood Debris Information

Construction and General Disaster Debris

Construction and general disaster debris may include damaged drywall, carpeting, furniture, building materials, wet cardboard, and other non-hazardous materials. Separate recyclable and reusable materials whenever possible.

Some construction and demolition debris can be brought to local transfer stations for a fee. Contact your local transfer station before bringing disaster-related materials to confirm that they accept the material.

BCSWA Construction & Demolition Debris Information

BCSWA Transfer Stations

If a Federal Disaster Is Declared

If a federal disaster declaration is issued, special collection and disposal procedures may be established for disaster debris. Do not place hazardous materials, vegetative debris, or large amounts of disaster-related debris at the roadside unless your town or emergency officials specifically instruct you to do so.

Contact your town for instructions about collection, staging areas, and disposal following a declared disaster.

Additional Information

For current Vermont guidance on managing disaster and flood debris, visit the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Disaster Debris resources:

VT DEC – Disaster Debris Guidance and Resources

Drywall, also called sheetrock or gypsum board, is a type of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Whenever possible, drywall should be reused or recycled rather than disposed of as trash.

Under Vermont’s Architectural Waste Law (Act 175), certain construction and demolition projects are required to recycle drywall and other architectural waste. The requirement applies to commercial projects and residential projects with two or more units that generate 40 cubic yards or more of architectural waste and are located within 20 miles of an architectural waste recycling facility. Covered architectural waste includes drywall, clean wood, metal, plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and asphalt shingles.

For smaller residential projects and projects that do not meet the requirements of the Architectural Waste Law, contact your local transfer station or C&D facility to determine whether drywall is accepted and what fees or preparation requirements apply.

Before bringing drywall to a facility, contact the facility to confirm that it accepts drywall and whether there are any requirements for keeping it separate from other C&D materials.

Vermont DEC – Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling

BCSWA – Construction & Demolition Debris

Important: Do not place drywall containing asbestos in regular C&D or trash. Before beginning renovation or demolition work, review Vermont’s asbestos requirements and have suspected asbestos-containing materials properly evaluated and managed.

The Vermont disposal-ban specifically identify explosives and fireworks as dangerous materials that must be kept out of the trash. These are not accepted at transfer stations and should not be put out in the trash. Contact the Vermont State Police for disposal options.

Plain, unscented, non-lotion, facial tissues that are unused, or have been in contact with only water or food may be composted in your backyard or in commercial facilities (curbside or transfer station drop off). Tissues that have been used to blow your nose can only be composted commercially (curbside or transfer station drop off) where the high temperature process kills the pathogens. Tissues cannot be recycled as their fibers are too short to be manufactured into another item.

Fax Machines cameras of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Some fire extinguishers may be refilled for reuse. Those that need to be disposed of should be brought to our household hazardous waste collection facility located at the Bennington transfer station by appointment. Fire Extinguishers should not be thrown in the trash.

Flash Drives (USB Drives) of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Fluorescent bulbs, in many shapes and sizes are accepted at many local retailers and a number of transfer stations. Visit our Fluorescent Bulbs page for full details and participating drop off locations. Fluorescent bulbs cannot be disposed of in the trash because they contain mercury.

Donating food items can help feed families in need and/or help local farms. Please see:
Donating to Food Pantries
Donating Food for Livestock

Food scraps are banned from the trash in Vermont and may be composted in backyard composting systems, donated to farms, or dropped off community collection points and transfer stations. Visit our Diverting Food Scraps and Organics page to learn about Vermont’s food scrap band and visit our Composting page for guidance on how to compost at home.

Useable furniture may be donated to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Restore and Goodwill or sold online through Facebook, Front Porch Forum and Craigslist. Unusable furniture is accepted at most transfer stations for a fee.

Gaming consoles & controllers of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Gasoline is household hazardous waste and should never be poured down a drain, onto the ground, or placed in the trash. If you have unwanted gasoline, bring it to a BCSWA Household Hazardous Waste collection for proper disposal.

Keep gasoline in its original, properly labeled container whenever possible. Never mix gasoline with other products. Keep it secured, away from children and animals, and transport it safely in the back of your vehicle, away from the passenger compartment.

For BCSWA Household Hazardous Waste collection information and appointments:
BCSWA Household Hazardous Waste

For more information:
Vermont DEC – Household Hazardous Waste

Note: Gasoline removed from a vehicle or contaminated gasoline may have additional hazardous-waste management requirements. Businesses should contact Vermont DEC for guidance.

Glass bottles and jars are landfill-banned recyclables. Single-use glass containers are accepted in curbside recycling programs and at all transfer stations. Containers should be clean and dry to be recycled (Remove any sticky or oily residue by soaking then rinsing container in hot water.) Many glass bottles (e.g., soda, beer, liquor, and spirits) can be returned to distributors for a deposit. Dishes, vases, window glass, etc. are not accepted in recycling and should be disposed into the trash when not suitable for reuse or donation.

Wire hangers (coated or bare) may be dropped off at scrap metal collection facilities. Wood hangers made of “clean” wood (free of staining, finishes, or glues) may be deposited with clean wood at transfer stations after any metal hanger hook or pant fasteners are removed. All other hangers must be disposed of in the trash and CANNOT be recycled.

Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes household products labeled “caution,” “toxic,” “danger,” “hazard,” “warning,” “poisonous,” “reactive,” “corrosive,” or “flammable.” These materials are banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont and should not be poured down drains or onto the ground.

Common HHW includes products found around the home, garage, workbench, and yard, such as:

• Household cleaners: drain cleaners, oven cleaners, bleach, ammonia, disinfectants, and furniture polish
• Automotive products: gasoline, kerosene, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and solvents
• Home improvement products: oil-based paint, stains, varnish, adhesives, solvents, and roofing tar
• Yard and garden products: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, and pool chemicals
• Other hazardous products: nail polish remover, photography chemicals, chemistry sets, mercury-containing items, and propane cylinders

BCSWA Household Hazardous Waste Collection

The Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is located at:

Bennington Transfer Station
904 Houghton Lane
Bennington, VT 05201

The facility is open to residents of BCSWA member towns by appointment during the seasonal collection period. The current BCSWA schedule is Mondays from May through October. Appointments are required.

Schedule a Household Hazardous Waste Appointment

View the BCSWA HHW Information and Accepted Materials

Safety: Never mix hazardous products together. Keep materials in their original containers with their labels whenever possible, secure containers so they cannot tip or leak, and keep them away from children and animals. When transporting HHW, keep containers in the back of your vehicle and away from the passenger compartment.

EPR and Special Recycling

Some materials that may be considered HHW have separate manufacturer-funded recycling programs, including paint, batteries, electronics, mercury thermostats, and fluorescent bulbs. These materials may have year-round collection options.

Vermont DEC – Household Hazardous Waste

Vermont Household Hazardous Product EPR Program

Headphones & earbuds of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Holiday lights can be recycled at Walloomsac Metal Recycling in Hoosick Falls, NY. Call them at (518) 686-1486 for more information.

Inkjet and toner cartridges of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Inkjet cartridges are included in Vermont’s e-waste collection program and may left in the printer you dispose at participating collection sites. Many manufacturers of toner cartridges offer return mail recycling programs for a variety of cartridges.

Label makers of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Laminators of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores. Weight Limits may apply.

Vermont bans leaf and yard debris from landfill disposal. Leaf and Yard Debris are accepted at all transfer stations.

Maple Tubing is accepted for Recycling at the Granville NY Transfer Station at 8536 NY-22, Granville, NY 12832. The facility open Tues, Wed, and Friday from 8am-4pm. Vermont residents will be charged 40 cents per pound.

The facility accepts Polyethylene (PE) tubing only. NO PVC tubing. To determine whether your tubing is made from PE or PVC: clip off a sample and put it in a bowl of water. PE floats; PVC sinks. Plastic taps, tees and other fittings are OK to leave attached to tubing. If possible, cut mainline into 4-foot lengths. Coil or bundle tubing. Tie bundles together with tubing; do not use string or other material. NO drainage, sewer, or water service lines. NO string or metal of any kind (wires, wire ties, metal hose clamps).

An in-state recycling option is available at Addison Cunty Solid Waste Management District. Information is available here.

Mattresses are accepted at most transfer stations.

Medical waste should be managed carefully to protect people and the environment. Disposal options depend on where and how the waste was generated.

Home-generated medical waste: This includes waste from medications, testing supplies, injectable medications, and materials saturated with bodily fluids that are generated in a private residence.

Sharps: Place used needles, syringes, and other sharps in a rigid plastic container, such as an empty laundry-detergent bottle. Securely tape the lid closed and label the container “Do Not Recycle.” The sealed container may be placed in the trash. Never place loose sharps in the trash or recycling. (Vermont DEC – Safe Disposal of Sharps)

Unused medications: Do not flush medications or place them in recycling. Unused and expired medications can be taken to an approved medication collection location or drug take-back event. (Vermont DEC – Household Hazardous Waste)

Regulated medical waste: Medical waste generated by health care facilities, licensed health care professionals, or trauma scenes is regulated medical waste and must be managed separately from ordinary household trash. This can include used or unused needles and syringes removed from their original packaging, as well as waste containing blood or other potentially infectious materials. Do not place regulated medical waste in household trash or recycling. Businesses and institutions should use a permitted medical-waste hauler or contact Vermont DEC for disposal requirements. (Vermont DEC – Regulated Medical Waste)

For businesses and health care facilities: Vermont DEC provides requirements for the storage, treatment, transportation, and disposal of regulated medical waste. A list of registered waste transporters is available through the state.

Vermont DEC – Safe Disposal of Sharps & Regulated Medical Waste

Vermont DEC – Regulated Medical Waste Procedures

Mercury-containing thermostats are banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont and must be recycled through a special collection program. They are not accepted in blue-bin recycling.

Older thermostats may contain one or more small glass tubes (ampoules) containing silver-colored liquid mercury. Do not break or remove the mercury-containing switches.

Vermont’s Thermostat Recycling Program provides a $5 rebate for each qualifying mercury thermostat recycled at participating collection locations.

Local collection locations:

• Bennington Cooling & Heating — 308 Depot St., Bennington — (802) 442-3519
• F.W. Webb — 240 East Rd., Bennington — (802) 447-2312
• Miles Lumber – Do It Best — 178 Chittenden Dr., Arlington — (802) 375-2525
• R.K. Miles — 691 Depot St., Manchester — (802) 362-1952

Find additional Mercury Thermostat Collection Locations – Thermostat Recycling Corporation

Vermont DEC – Mercury Thermostat Recycling

BCSWA – Mercury Items

Mercury-containing devices are banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont and must be properly recycled or disposed of as hazardous waste. These may include thermometers, thermostats, switches, relays, gauges, sensors, and other devices containing mercury.

Mercury thermostats: Mercury thermostats can be recycled at participating collection locations and may qualify for a $5 rebate. To identify a mercury thermostat, remove the front cover and look for small glass tubes containing a silver-colored liquid. Do not remove or break the mercury-containing switches. (BCSWA Mercury Items)

Other mercury-containing devices: Thermometers, switches, relays, gauges, sensors, and other mercury-containing devices should be brought to a household hazardous waste collection event or facility for proper management. (Vermont DEC – Mercury Product Collection and Spill Safety)

Local options:

• BCSWA Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility — Bennington Transfer Station, 904 Houghton Lane, Bennington, VT. Mercury-containing thermometers and other mercury items are accepted by appointment. (BCSWA HHW)
• Mercury thermostats: See BCSWA’s participating local retailers and additional collection locations: BCSWA Mercury Items

Important: Do not place mercury-containing devices in your blue-bin recycling or regular trash. If a mercury-containing device breaks, do not use a vacuum or broom, as this can spread mercury. Follow Vermont DEC’s spill-cleanup guidance and contact the appropriate hazardous waste collection program. (Vermont DEC – Mercury Product Collection and Spill Safety)

Mercury-containing light bulbs are managed separately. Fluorescent, CFL, HID, ultraviolet, and other mercury-containing lamps have separate collection options. See BCSWA Fluorescent Bulbs for information on recycling these materials.

Haulers and transfer stations in Vermont do not accept milk, juice, or aseptic cartons for recycling as they are made of multi-compositional (plastics, paper, metal, coatings) material. Dispose of these in the trash unless your hauler tells you otherwise.

Disposal of waste oil in a landfill is banned by Vermont law. Used motor oil (and some transmission fluids) may accepted at automotive retail and repair facilities free of charge. Some transfer stations also accept used motor who may charge a fee. Visit our Motor Oil page for details and participating locations.

Visit our Sharps page for instructions on proper disposal of syringes, sharps, and needles.

Paint is banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont. Vermont’s Paint Stewardship Program provides free recycling for leftover architectural paints, stains, and varnishes through participating PaintCare collection locations.

Accepted products include latex and oil-based paints, primers, stains, sealers, varnishes, and similar architectural coatings. PaintCare does not accept products such as solvents, paint thinners, or other non-PaintCare products.

Find a local PaintCare drop-off location:
PaintCare Vermont Drop-Off Locator

Learn more:
Vermont DEC – Paint Recycling Program

For other paint-related hazardous materials, including paint thinner and solvents:
BCSWA Household Hazardous Waste

Important: Never pour paint down a drain or place liquid paint in the trash. Keep paint in its original, labeled container whenever possible.

Visit our Paint page for list of acceptable materials and participating retailers.

Mixed paper is banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont. Recycle clean, dry mixed paper, including newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper, and other paper products, through your local blue-bin recycling program or at a BCSWA transfer station.

Do not place paper contaminated with food, grease, or other materials in recycling.

BCSWA – Recycling Information

Paper is accepted at all transfer stations.

Pesticides CANNOT be placed in the trash and are accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

Bottles measuring at least 2” in two dimensions can be recycled in curbside collections or transfer stations. (Caps may remain on plastic bottles.) Bottles that are smaller should be placed in the trash.

Pizza boxes free of stuck on food (cheese, crust, toppings) may be recycled in your curbside bin or brought to the transfer station. (Grease stains are okay.)

Sections of pizza boxes with stuck on food, such as the lid, may be placed in backyard composting bins or municipal composting facility where permitted. Recycle the remaining clean portion of the box with other cardboard.

Non-black colored plastic pots may be recycled in curbside collection or at transfer stations. Black plastic pots cannot be recycled at curbside or at transfer stations and should be thrown away if they can’t be reused.

Plastic bags, film, overwrap, bubble wrap, cereal box liners, and Amazon padded mailers are recyclable through large chain grocery stores. This includes flexible polyethylene plastic labeled #2 or #4 and should NEVER placed in your recycling bin. Plastic bags should not be used in any way to dispose of recycling. Place items loose in your recycling bin or when dropping off at the transfer station. Visit our plastic film page for a full list of acceptable materials and drop off locations.

#1 and #2 plastics are banned from Vermont landfills. Single-use plastic containers labeled #1 through #5 may be disposed in your curbside recycling bin or dropped off at transfer stations. Plastic film is NOT recycled in your curbside bin or at transfer stations but can be dropped off at participating retail locations.

Prescription medicines should not be thrown in the trash NOR flushed down the toilet. Visit our prescriptions page for proper disposal and take-back locations.

One- and twenty-pound propane tanks are accepted at most transfer stations, but the valves have to be removed so the tank is taken as scrap. If you have a tank with gas, Haskins Gas Service (802-867-5741) will also accept propane tanks that still contain gas. One- and twenty-pound propane tanks are also accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

Some transfer stations accept electronic items for a fee. Goodwill of the Northern Berkshires and Southern Vermont may accept some of these items for donation and Staples accepts items free for recycling.

Recyclables are banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont. Recycle accepted materials through your local blue-bin/curbside recycling program or at a BCSWA transfer station. Common recyclables include paper and cardboard, plastic containers #1 and #2, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, and aluminum foil.

Do not place plastic bags, film plastic, electronics, batteries, or other special-collection materials in your blue-bin recycling.

BCSWA – Recycling Information

BCSWA – Transfer Stations

Refrigerators and other devices containing Freon are accepted at all Alliance transfers stations. Check with your local transfer station for pricing information.

Reuse ribbons and bows whenever possible. Otherwise, throw them into the trash as they are not recyclable.

Scrap metal is accepted at many area transfer stations.

Scrap metal is also taken at Walloomsac Metal Recycling in Hoosick Falls, NY. Call them at (518) 686-1486 for more information.

Shoes in good condition (clean with treads on soles) may be donated to Goodwill of the Northern Berkshires and Southern Vermont. Textile boxes located throughout the area also accept clean shoes, clothing, and textiles for donation.

Shredders of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores. Weight limits may apply.

Household smoke & carbon monoxide detectors may be placed in household trash, regardless of type.
If the batteries are not alkaline (e.g. AA, AAA), they may be banned from the trash. Remove batteries prior to disposing of the detector, and drop them off at an appropriate location.

Curie Environmental Services will recycle ionization smoke detectors (fees apply).

SodaStream CO2 cylinders may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Steel cans are banned from disposal in the trash in Vermont. Recycle clean, empty steel cans through your local blue-bin/curbside recycling program or at a BCSWA transfer station. Rinse cans and remove food residue before recycling.

BCSWA – Recycling Information

BCSWA – Transfer Stations

Styrofoam can’t be recycled, so it is best if you reduce your use of this material. Packing peanuts can be reused when you are shipping in the future or storing breakable items.

Tablet & phone cases may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

Tires are banned from Vermont landfills. Tires are accepted at many areas transfer stations.

Oral-B is a company offering recycling of tooth brushes. Visit this site for more information: https://oralb.com/en-us/recycling/

Envelopes that are labeled HDPE #2 or LDPE #4 are recycled through plastic film recycling programs at area large-chain retailers. They do not go into curbside recycling or at transfer stations. Remove any paper shipping labels before recycling.

Video streaming devices (Smart TV boxes) of any brand (Roku, Apple TV etc…) may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

When not reusable, plain wrapping paper without heavy coatings can be recycled along with tissue paper in your curbside recycling or at the transfer station. Wrapping paper with glitter, foil, metallic print, mylar, cellophane, or coatings are not recyclable and should be placed in your household trash. Bows and ribbon that can’t be reused should also be placed in the trash.

Writing tools (pens, markers, mechanical pencils) of any brand may be dropped off in limited quantities at participating Staples stores.

We’re still working on this and others, so visit us again.

Vermont bans leaf and yard debris from landfill disposal. Leaves can be composted or mixed with your food scraps for composting. Contact your transfer station if you need to dispose of leaf and yard waste off of your property.