BRATTLEBORO — The Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD) has received a $11,250 Universal Recycling School Grant from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to “implement recycling and organics diversion programs,” at Brattleboro Union High School, Brattleboro Area Middle School, Leland & Gray Union Middle & High School, and Twin Valley Middle School & High School, one of just four such grants awarded.
The funds will help schools comply with Act 148, Vermont's Universal Recycling Law.
Under Act 148, schools are required to offer recycling and to implement composting programs in the near future. The funds are being used to cover six months of expenses for rental of dumpsters, hauling, and tipping fees at the compost facility.
The grant also covers costs for WSWMD to purchase special recycling bins for use in the kitchens and cafeterias, as well as training that is conducted by WSWMD.
Kristen Benoit, program coordinator at WSWMD, said that Leland & Gray began their organics diversion program in December 2014 and Brattleboro schools began their program in January 2015. Twin Valley Middle & High School began this month and will continue next fall.
Benoit explained that the grant has already diverted up to 4 cubic yards per week of organic food scraps and non-recyclable paper per school, and the goal is to have the schools self-fund the program after the grant is completed.