Solid Waste Alliance Communities (SWAC)

06/08/2026

🌸 The SWAC Summer Series: The Infinite Cycle of the Summer Cans

With the first full week of June underway, the summer heat is here, the kids are active, and our recycling containers are filling up faster than usual. One item filling those bins quicker than anything else right now? Aluminum beverage cans.

Whether it's a cold sparkling water after yard work, a seltzer by the pool, or a sport drink at the ball field, aluminum is a staple of summer hydration. The great news is that aluminum is a recycling superstar.

The 60-Day Superpower

Unlike plastics, which degrade in quality every time they are melted down, aluminum can be recycled infinitely without ever losing its strength or quality.

In fact, the system is so efficient that a can you place in your recycling container or take to a redemption center today can be melted down, manufactured, refilled, and back on a store shelf as a brand-new can in as little as 60 days.

Recycling aluminum saves a staggering 95% of the energy needed to make brand-new aluminum from raw ore. That means every single can your family saves directly reduces energy use and environmental impact.

Two Simple Rules for Summer Cans

To keep our local recycling streams moving smoothly and ensure every can makes it through the loop, keep these two rules in mind:

1. Clean and Empty (But Leave the Label)
Give the can a quick rinse if there's sweet residue left inside so it doesn't attract bees or ants in your container, but make sure it is completely drained. If it's a craft beverage with a plastic wrap-around sleeve label, leave it on. Modern processing facilities are designed to handle those labels easily, so there is no need to spend time peeling them off.

2. Don't Crush It
It is incredibly tempting to stomp on cans to save space in your home containers, but modern sorting facilities actually prefer them uncrushed. Optical sorters and air-classifiers use the standard 3D shape of a classic can to identify it as it flies down the sorting belt. Flat, crushed cans can sometimes be misidentified as paper or cardboard, twisting the sorting process. Keep them in their natural shape!

The Summer Challenge
Put your "Scrap Captain" or the kids in charge of the summer can collection! Set up a dedicated box next to your main recycling container just for deposit-return cans. Taking a trip to the local redemption center is a great way for kids to see the immediate value of recycling firsthand—and they might even earn a little summer pocket money in the process.

By being mindful of what you bring into your home and responsible for what you send out, you protect your family and the community air, soil, and water we all share.

Send a message to learn more

06/02/2026

🌸 The SWAC Summer Series: Managing the Summer Shift with Kids at Home

With June officially here, school is letting out and the kids are home for the summer! While we welcome the warmer days and backyard fun, having a full house also means a big shift in our daily waste. From a sudden wave of summer snack packaging to outgrown sports gear and broken outdoor toys, managing what comes into and goes out of our homes becomes a family affair.

With a little teamwork, we can keep our households organized and turn sustainable habits into a fun summer routine.

Navigating the Summer Influx

The Summer Hydration Wave

Kids go through an incredible volume of drinks when playing out in the summer heat, which often leads to a mountain of single-serve plastic bottles, sports drinks, and juice pouches that are tough on the environment and loaded with unwanted sugar.

The Fix:

Skip the sugary individual bottles and make healthy hydration fun and visual. Keep a large, clear dispenser or pitcher in the fridge filled with cold water infused with fresh summer flavors like sliced lemons, limes, strawberries, cucumber, or watermelon chunks. It looks exciting to kids, tastes great, and provides zero-waste, zero-sugar hydration.

For the Containers You Do Have:

When you do have aluminum cans or plastic bottles, make sure they find their way to a local redemption center or your recycling containers, completely clean and empty. Remember that squeezed drink pouches are made of mixed plastic and foil layers and must go in the trash.

DIY Yogurt & Fruit Pops:

A Fun Summer Activity
Instead of buying box after box of store-bought popsicles wrapped in individual plastic film, turn snack time into a fun summer project for the kids.

The Fix:

Get some reusable ice pop molds and let the kids blend up and pour their own creamy treats. Layering or blending fresh, whole fruit with a few scoops of yogurt from a large, family-sized tub gives them a delicious, protein-packed snack that they get to make themselves. It keeps them entertained, keeps unwanted sugar out of their diet, and eliminates both individual plastic wrapper waste and single-serve plastic cups entirely.

The Backyard & Pool Dilemma: Safe Reusables

Let's be honest: nobody wants a mountain of extra dishes, and dragging heavy glass or ceramic plates near the pool or out to the backyard deck is a major safety hazard. But that doesn't mean you have to rely on a trash can full of flimsy paper or solo cups.

The Fix:

If you already have sturdy, durable plastic cups and plates that you wash and reuse summer after summer, use them! Keeping them in rotation stops single-use waste.

Shatterproof, Lifetime Options:

If you are looking to replace worn-out gear with alternatives that are pool-safe and 100% dishwasher safe, look into lightweight stainless steel cups and plates or durable food-grade silicone cups. These materials are virtually indestructible, won't shatter if dropped on concrete, are completely safe for bare feet, and will last for years without needing to be thrown away.

Ditch the Single-Serve Snack

Kids go through an incredible amount of snacks in the summer, which usually means a mountain of non-recyclable plastic pouches and wrappers.

The Fix:

Buy snacks, crackers, and fruit in bulk, and let the kids portion them into reusable containers for day trips and backyard play. It saves money and keeps a massive amount of plastic film out of the trash.

The Summer Toy Check

Before buying cheap plastic beach toys, pool floats, or yard games that tend to break after a few uses, look for durable alternatives that will last for seasons to come.

The Fix:

If a plastic toy or pool float does break, remember it cannot go into your recycling containers. Rigid plastics like toys, lawn chairs, and crates are not accepted in standard recycling streams and belong in the trash. Choosing durable items up front stops that waste before it starts.

Passing on the Gear

June is the perfect time to clear out outgrown cleats, sports gear, and bicycles.

The Fix:

Instead of tossing old gear aside, involve the kids in finding them a second life. Passing items along to a neighbor, a local swap, or a thrift store keeps valuable materials in use and out of the landfill.

Appoint a Summer "Scrap Captain"

With everyone home for lunch and snacks, your food scrap container is going to see a lot more action. Turn it into a game by assigning a rotating "Scrap Captain" for the week.

The Captain’s job is to make sure every melon rind, berry top, lemon peel, popsicle stick, and half-eaten sandwich goes straight into the food scrap container instead of the trash.

This simple chore helps the family visualize how much food waste we create, while ensuring those nutrients go right back into feeding our local Vermont soil.

When the whole family gets involved in looking at the full cycle of what we bring into the house, keeping our communities clean becomes second nature.

By being mindful of what you bring into your home and responsible for what you send out, you protect your family and the community air, soil, and water we all share.

Send a message to learn more

05/27/2026

🌸 The SWAC Summer Series: Low-Waste Barbecues & Celebrations

June will be arriving soon, and with it, the official kickoff to barbecue season, graduation parties, and summer weddings.

Whether you are hosting a casual backyard grill-out for the neighbors or planning a major milestone event, a celebration doesn't have to mean filling your vehicle with bags of trash the next morning.

With a little upfront planning, you can host an incredible gathering that honors your guests and protects our local environment.

The Summer Party Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

The Single-Serve Trap

Individual chip bags, juice boxes, and condiment packets create an enormous amount of plastic film waste that cannot be recycled.

The Fix: Buy condiments, snacks, and drinks in bulk or large recyclable containers. Use reusable bowls for sides and pour drinks from large pitchers or dispensers.

The "Paper" Plate Illusion

Many paper plates are lined with a plastic coating to keep them from getting soggy, which means they can't be composted or recycled. They are destined straight for the trash.

The Fix:

For backyard barbecues, stick to real plates or challenge your guests to bring their favorite "mess kit." For larger milestone events or consider renting tableware for the day.

The Forgotten Food Scraps

Summer menus are incredibly heavy on organic waste. Leaving these out of the food scrap collection means heavy, smelly trash.

The Fix:

Make your dedicated food scrap container the star of the sorting station. Put up a clear sign listing everything that belongs in there: watermelon rinds, cantaloupe skins, corn cobs and husks, cherry pits, strawberry tops, potato and onion peels, burger scraps, hot dog ends, rib and chicken bones, steak gristle, and half-eaten salads. If it came from food, it belongs in the composting stream, keeping it out of landfills and turning it into rich compost that goes right back into feeding our local soil.

Smart Choices for Big Events

If you are organizing a larger event like a graduation or wedding this month, remember that your choices as a host set the standard:

Skip the Plastic Favors:

Avoid cheap plastic trinkets that end up in the bin a week later. Instead, offer locally made treats, flower seed packets, or simply let the memories be the takeaway.

Natural Decor:

Swap out plastic tablecloths and synthetic banners for cloth linens and fresh, local flowers or greenery.

When we slow down and look at the full cycle of what we buy for our summer gatherings, we stop the waste before it even reaches our neighborhoods.

By being mindful of what you bring into your home and responsible for what you send out, you protect your family and the community air, soil, and water we all share.

Send a message to learn more

05/18/2026

🌸 The SWAC Spring Series: Planning Waste-Free Events

As we head into graduation and party season, and with Memorial Day right around the corner, planning a celebration doesn't have to mean a mountain of trash. With a few simple choices, you can host a beautiful event that protects your guests and the environment we all love.

The Impact of Party

Standard party supplies like plastic cups and cutlery are used for just an hour but stay in our environment for centuries. These items break down into microplastics that travel through our air and water, eventually impacting our soil and food systems.

The "Full Cycle" Party Setup

1. Sustainable Prep (In the Kitchen):

Buy in Bulk: Skip the individual snack bags. Buy larger quantities of chips or nachos and serve them in large bowls.

Ditch the Wrap: Use beeswax wraps, silicone covers, or simply an inverted plate over a bowl to keep food fresh while prepping.

Compost as You Go: Keep a small bowl on the counter for all your peels, ends, and eggshells while you cook so they are ready for the food scrap bin.

2. Setting the Stage (The Arrival):

The Reusable Bundle: Tie your cloth napkins and real utensils together in a neat bundle. Use raffia, baling twine, or cotton string to hold them together. It looks great and prevents them from blowing away!

Personalized Place Settings: Invite guests to bring their own "mess kit"—their favorite plate, real utensils, and a reusable "vessel" like a special mug or water container. It’s a great conversation starter!

Upcycled Decor: Use mason jars or washed tin cans tied with twine for flower vases. You can also make candle holders by filling cans with water and freezing them, then using a hammer and nail to punch holes in the sides for a beautiful glow.

3. The Menu & Leftovers (Skip the Utensils):

Hand-Held Classics: Focus your menu on foods like fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and corn on the cob. These favorites are easy to eat with your hands and naturally eliminate the need for plastic cutlery!

The Take-Home Ask: Ask guests to bring empty takeout containers from home to fill with leftovers at the end of the night.

4. The Sorting Station (The Cleanup):
Create a "No-Guess" station by taping a picture to the front of each bin:

Washable Linens: A basket for napkins and towels.

Food Scraps: A picture of a banana peel or sandwich crust.

Returnables: A picture of a bottle or can (keep those local deposits separate!).

Recycling Containers: A picture of clean plastic tubs or cardboard.

Trash: A picture of plastic wrappers or used wipes.

Keep Your Community Protected
A great celebration is about the memories. By planning ahead, you ensure that your event leaves a positive impact on your community.

By being mindful of what you bring into your home and responsible for what you send out, you protect your family and the community air, soil, and water we all share.

Send a message to learn more

05/11/2026

🌸 The SWAC Spring Series: Your Morning Coffee

Is your coffee maker adding "hidden ingredients" to your mug?

When boiling water hits plastic at high pressure, it can shed microplastics directly into your drink. Since many of us drink coffee every day, these tiny particles can add up.

The Heat and Plastic Problem

Plastic Pods: Hot water can carry microscopic plastic and chemical additives from the pod into your cup.

Plastic Kettles: Boiling water sitting in plastic can leach particles before you even pour it.

To Go Lids: Steam condenses on the plastic lid and drips microplastics back into your coffee.

Why it matters:

Ingesting microplastics can lead to inflammation and expose your body to hidden chemicals. Reducing how much hot liquid touches plastic is a simple win for your health.

Easy Swaps for a Better Brew

Stainless Steel Pods: Switch to a reusable stainless steel capsule. It's cheaper and plastic free!

Glass or Metal Kettles: Choose a kettle with a full stainless steel or glass interior.

Classic Methods: Try a glass French Press or a ceramic pour over.

All-Metal / Glass Machines: If you are looking for a new coffee maker, look for the latest all-glass or stainless steel models that keep plastic away from your water entirely.

Lose the Lid: Use a ceramic mug at home and skip the plastic lid.

Let’s keep your family and our Vermont environment protected from the air to the soil to the water!

Send a message to learn more

05/07/2026

🌸 The SWAC Spring Series:

The Kitchen Sponge

Now that our cabinets are free of hazardous chemicals, it is time to look at another "hidden" resident in our kitchens: The standard kitchen sponge.

Most traditional sponges are made of synthetic plastics like polyester or nylon. Every time you scrub a dish, tiny particles known as microplastics break off. While many wash down the drain, many others stay right there in your home.

The Impact Inside Your Home

It isn't just about the water. When synthetic sponges wear down, they impact your immediate environment:

On Your Dishes: Tiny plastic fibers can stick to the surface of your "clean" plates, bowls, and silverware, meaning they can end up in the food your family eats.

In Your Air: As sponges dry and crumble, they release microscopic plastic dust into your kitchen air.

A "Germ Hotel": Synthetic sponges are notorious for trapping bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella in their plastic pores. Because they don't dry out as quickly or breathe as well as natural fibers, they can actually spread more germs across your counters than they pick up.

Protecting Your Family with a Simple Swap

The good news? Keeping your kitchen hazard free is easy with these natural, plastic free alternatives:

Loofah Sponges: These are dried gourds (a vegetable!). They are 100 percent plant based, incredibly durable, and breathe much better than plastic, which helps prevent that "sour sponge" smell.

Wooden Dish Brushes: Brushes with natural fibers like sisal or coconut don't shed plastic onto your dishes and are much easier to keep dry and germ free.

Cellulose Sponges: Make sure to look for 100 percent cellulose without the plastic scrubbing side. These are made from wood pulp and are fully biodegradable.

Swedish Dishcloths: These replace up to 17 rolls of paper towels! Made of cotton and wood pulp, they can be washed in the laundry or dishwasher to stay sanitized.

Keep Vermont Protected
By making the switch to natural fibers, you are protecting your home’s air and your family’s food. You are ensuring that no invisible trash is leaving your home and entering our environment.

Let’s keep your family and our Vermont environment protected from the air to the soil to the water!

Send a message to learn more

04/27/2026

🌸 The SWAC Spring Series: A Fresh Start

A huge THANK YOU to the 90 residents from 6 of our SWAC towns who joined us this past Saturday for our HHW collection! Because of you, a massive amount of hazardous material was diverted from our local environment.

Now that your cabinets and garages are cleaned out, let’s talk about how to keep them that way—without waiting for another event.

The Secret to an "HHW-Free" Home

Vermont has some of the best Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws in the country. This means the companies that make certain products are required to help pay for their safe recycling. You can drop these items off for free year-round at permanent local locations:

Batteries (The Battery Network): Most single-use and rechargeable batteries (up to 25 lbs) are now accepted year-round! This includes everything from AA batteries to power tool packs and even e-bike batteries. Look for the Battery Network boxes at your local transfer station or participating hardware stores.

Paint (PaintCare): Drop off up to 5 gallons of latex or oil-based paint per visit at hardware stores like LaValley’s, Ace, Aubuchon, or Sherwin-Williams.

Light Bulbs: Fluorescent tubes and CFLs can be dropped off at participating hardware stores any day they are open.

Electronics (E-Cycle): Old TVs, computers, and printers have permanent homes at collection sites throughout the county.

Shop with the "End" in Mind

The best way to avoid hazardous waste is to not buy it! As you restock for summer projects, consider these cleaner alternatives:

The Power of Steam: A steam mop or handheld steamer can replace a dozen chemical cleaners using nothing but tap water.

Read the Label: If a product says "Danger" or "Poison," it will eventually require a trip to an HHW event. If it says "Caution," it’s a much lower-risk choice for your home.

Learn More About Vermont's EPR Programs:
For more details on what is covered and why these programs exist, visit the official Vermont Agency of Natural Resources page:

https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/solid/product-stewardship

Let’s keep those cabinets clear and our Vermont environment protected from the air to the soil to the water!

Vermont has special recycling programs for some items that can be recycled, but NOT in the blue bin. To find the nearest Special Recycling Program drop-off location for Batteries, Electronics, Paint, Fluorescent Lightbulbs, or Mercury Thermostats, select your county from the dropdown list below and....

04/21/2026

🌸 The SWAC Spring Series: The Final Audit Checklist

Our Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day is this Saturday, April 25! Before you load up the car, we have one final request: Check the label before you pack it.

Hazardous waste disposal is a high-cost service for our towns. The best way to manage those costs — and protect our environment — is to ensure that only "true waste" makes it to the event.

Step 1: The "Second Home" Audit

Before an item goes into the HHW box, ask: Is it still good?
If a product is in its original container, hasn't dried out, and isn't expired, it isn't waste yet!

The Neighbor Check:

Does a friend need that half-bag of fertilizer? Does a neighbor have a small touch-up project that could use your leftover deck stain?

The "Use it Up" Rule: If you have just a little bit of a cleaner or automotive fluid left, try to use it for its intended purpose this week.

Step 2: The Final Household Search

Have you checked these "hidden" spots for hazardous materials?

Under the Kitchen Sink: Drain openers, oven cleaners, and old metal polishes.

The Hall Closet: Mercury thermometers and older "button" batteries.

The Basement/Utility Room: Cans of old solvent, floor st*****rs, and pool chemicals.

The Garden Shed: Pesticides, herbicides, and those 1 lb. "camping" propane tanks.

Step 3: Remember the Permanent Homes

To keep the line moving on Saturday, please remember that Paint and Electronics have year-round homes right here in our area:

Paint: Take up to 5 gallons of latex or oil-based paint to LaValley’s, Ace, Aubuchon, Sherwin-Williams, or Gilmore Home Center and other locations throughout the county.

Electronics: Drop these off year-round at local E-Cycle sites: https://anrweb.vt.gov/DEC/EWaste/facilitylist.aspx

🗓️ REMINDER: Saturday, April 25, 2026
⏰ TIME: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 WHERE: Rutland Town Transfer Station (218 Northwood Park)

This service is FREE for residents of the ten SWAC towns ONLY: Benson, Chittenden, Fair Haven, Middletown Springs, Pawlet, Rutland Town, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Tinmouth, and West Haven.

04/16/2026

BEARS!

It's that time of year, Vermont! Bears are waking up and leaving their dens all over the state, which means it's time to take down those birdfeeders and bearproof your property, including your trash.


Don't wait until a bear comes to visit your property to take steps to prevent a bear incident. Here are some steps you can take now to help teach bears, and other wildlife like raccoons, skunks, and rodents, that our yards and neighborhoods are not where they should come looking for a snack:

🐻 Take down your birdfeeders until next winter.

🐻 Keep your garbage in bear-resistant containers or structures. You can contact your waste hauler to see about getting a bear-resistant dumpster!

🐻 Get your chickens and bees behind electric fencing or a bear-proof enclosure to keep them safe.

To learn more about living with bears, or to report a bear incident, you can visit our website:

Seeing black bears in their natural surroundings is exciting. But when bears venture into human territory, problems can occur and bears often pay the price.

04/14/2026

🌸🌸 The SWAC Spring Series: The Power of Pure Water

We are just a couple of weeks away from our HHW event on Saturday, April 25, which means many of you are currently auditing those cabinets full of chemical cleaners.

If you want to make sure those cabinets stay empty, it might be time to look into Steam Cleaning. By using nothing but heat and tap water, you can replace a dozen different plastic bottles with one single tool. Since we don't endorse specific brands, here is a guide on how to choose the right machine for your home.

Why Steam is the "HHW Hero"

Most traditional floor cleaners contain synthetic fragrances and surfactants that stay on your surfaces and eventually wash into our local groundwater. Steam leaves zero residue — making it safer for pets, kids, and the environment. It’s the ultimate way to reduce the amount of hazardous waste we bring into our homes in the first place.

Steam Buyer’s Guide: What to Look For

When comparing models, look for these three technical specs to ensure you’re getting a machine that actually sanitizes:

1. Heat Output: Look for a machine that reaches at least 212°F. This is the threshold where steam actually kills 99.9% of bacteria and dust mites without needing bleach or harsh chemicals.

2. Tank Capacity: A larger tank means more cleaning time, but a longer "wait time" to heat up. Handhelds usually give you 10–15 minutes of steam; larger canisters can give you 45+ minutes.

3. Attachment Versatility: Look for a "multi-surface" kit. The most useful attachments for our area are the grout brush (for tile floors) and the window squeegee for those spring cleaning projects.

How to Find Current Top-Rated Models

To see the most recent independent testing and resident reviews, you can use these search links:

Top Rated Steam Mops: https://www.google.com/search?q=top+rated+steam+mops+consumer+reviews

Multi-Purpose Handheld Steamers: https://www.google.com/search?q=best+handheld+multi-purpose+steam+cleaners+reviews

The SWAC Steam Strategy

Steam Mops: Best for sealed hardwood, tile, and laminate. Because they use only water, there is no "sticky" residue left behind, and floors dry almost instantly.

Handhelds: Best for grout, window tracks, and stovetops. The high-pressure steam loosens grease and gunk that usually requires "Danger" labeled degreasers.

Have you already made the switch to steam? Share your tips for chemical-free cleaning in the comments!