| Local Policy Description: | Purchase of Environmentally Preferable Products (Proposed)
Purchasing policies can greatly affect the environmental impact of operations from government entities. State and local governments purchase more than $1 trillion in goods and services each year, according to Governing Magazine. The EPA has developed an ENERGY STAR labeling program for energy efficient equipment and appliances. Each ENERGY STAR computer and monitor saves $15 to $25 per year in energy costs. Products made from recycled materials should be preferred over those made from virgin materials when impacts of quality and cost are not excessive. The Town of Brattleboro should include in their Environmentally Preferred Products: janitorial and cleaning products, vehicle products, and building products (recycled lumber, plastic).
Continue Methane Recovery System at Landfill
The major source of methane emissions in Brattleboro is the 33-acre Old Ferry Road landfill, which operated from the 1950's to 1995. The closed landfill contains an estimated 1.5 million tons of waste. In 1982, a methane recovery facility was constructed. Three converted diesel engines burn the methane gas to generate approximately 400 KWH electricity per year, which is conducted back into the power grid for sale to Central Vermont Public Service. The estimated C02 savings is 44,598 tons.
Continue Recycling Program
The Windham Solid Waste Management District operates a weekly curbside recycling program serving both residential and municipal areas. In addition, recyclable materials from commercial buildings are collected by approximately ten private haulers and delivered to the recycling center on Old Ferry Road. The materials recycled include newspapers, phone books, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminum, steel, tin, and plastic containers. In 2000, 2096 tons of paper and containers were collected from Brattleboro residences, businesses, and institutions. The estimated CO2 savings of the program is 3708 tons.
Continue Home Composting Program
The Windham Solid Waste Management District provides composting bins for sale to the public. Based on statewide statistics, Brattleboro households divert approximately 244 tons of food waste and 68 tons of yard waste per year through composting. The estimated C02 savings is 59 tons.
"Pay As You Throw" Solid Waste Disposal (Proposed)
In communities with pay-as-you-throw programs (also known as unit pricing or variable-rate pricing), residents are charged for the collection of municipal solid waste, ordinary household trash, based on the amount they throw away. Pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) breaks with tradition by treating trash services just like electricity, gas, and other utilities. Households pay a variable rate depending on the amount of service they use. PAYT is an effective tool for communities struggling to cope with soaring municipal solid waste management expenses. Well-designed programs generate the revenues communities need to cover their solid waste costs, including the costs of such complementary programs as recycling and composting. Residents benefit, too, because they have the opportunity to take control of their trash bills.
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