Dive Brief:

• Act 148, a statewide law that is looking to ban recyclables from landfills in Vermont by 2020, will go into effect on July 1.
• The solid waste industry is rallying against the increased costs the law is expected to bring, especially to rural communities, with some solid waste districts filing for exemptions.
• The problem, say some districts, is that waste districts and haulers themselves are responsible for upgrades and extra costs that coincide with the transition.

Dive Insight:

The law mandates all haulers that collect waste must offer curbside recycling as well. In accordance with the law, companies are expected to cover their costs with a fee for waste and recycling services. 

According to the Vermont Solid Waste District Manager’s Association, the law should offer an exception to those areas where recycling costs are over double the waste disposal rates. The association is pushing for separate fees for waste and recycling. 

Haulers will also be forced to offer parallel pick-up, which amounts to an upgrade or two separate routes, adding more cost to the equation.

A fear is that many smaller companies will be forced to close due to the additional expense of doing business. In reality, not only are smaller recycling centers feeling the squeeze; even heavyweight Waste Management is not faring well with recycling’s current worth.