BRATTLEBORO — In May, the Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD) re-opened its household hazardous waste (HHW) Depot for the season. The HHW Depot first opened in May 2021 and in the six months it was open last year, it served 326 households from 16 district towns.
WSWMD says that in the past, handling and disposal of HHW at special, one-day collection events were costing them as much as $200 per vehicle served. Last year, the average cost per vehicle served was about $70.
“The HHW Depot is proving to be a more cost-effective service to residents, schools, and small businesses, while providing the convenience of being open every week,” the district said in a news release.
Residents can use the facility for a nominal fee of $10 per vehicle. Businesses and schools are charged a disposal fee based on the types and quantities of materials.
Appointments for the HHW Depot are available by calling WSWMD or online at windhamsolidwaste.org. A Saturday collection will also be conducted Saturday, July 16, in Wilmington that will be open to all member towns.
WSWMD was awarded a four-year solid waste implementation planning grant totaling $154,593.60 by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, a division of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. The grant program is now in its third year. Grant funds are being used to support this project, including disposal and operational costs of the HHW Depot.
The grant is made available from the Solid Waste Management Assistance Fund provided by the state to help towns and solid waste planning entities implement their plans, as required by state law.