Children in classrooms across Vermont will soon be breathing easier!  Last week, the legislature earned an A+ by approving a bill ensuring the use of safer cleaning products in Vermont schools.  The bill (S.92) is on its way to the Governor's desk for his signature.

"Green" cleaning supplies are just as effective and affordable as conventional products, but without the health risks.

For more information on S.92 (and the other bills to watch), continue here.

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Children's Health Victory!

Children in classrooms across Vermont will soon be breathing easier!  On January 12th, 2012, the legislature gave their final approval to a bill that ensures the use of safer cleaning products in Vermont schools.  The bill (S.92) will now make its way to the Governor's desk for his signature.  See the bill summary below.

News Release: Vermont Legislature Passes School “Green” Cleaning Bill

Safer products to be sold to schools

On Thursday, the Senate gave final approval to S.92, a bill that requires manufacturers and distributors of cleaning products to only sell environmentally preferable cleaning products to schools.  The bill will now make its way to the Governor's desk for his signature.

Wondering what specific bills we're keeping an eye on this year?  We've compiled a list of top bills to follow. 

Our team, like James Moore and Ben Walsh pictured here, are at the State House daily, bringing well-researched testimony and making sure legislation is in the best public interest.  We will keep you posted on key opportunities for you to weigh in on these bills when it will matter most.

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Bills to Watch in 2012

Our advocates are following these bills and we'll keep you posted on opportunities to take action.  Find the bill language by clicking the title.

Vermont's Bottle Bill is our state's most successful recycling program. Thanks to the Bottle Bill, we recycle 85% of covered beverage containers, while states without Bottle Bills recycle, on average, only 24%.

Read how expanding the Bottle Bill can keep millions more containers out of landfills and off of roadsides.

A bigger, better Bottle Bill

The Bottle Bill is Vermont's single most effective recycling program.  VPIRG's campagin for a "Bigger Better Bottle" builds on the Bottle Bill's enormous success by updating the program to keep millions more containers out of landfills and off of roadsides, and we need your help. Click here to show your support!

Legislative Preview: What's on the Docket for 2012?

Clean Energy  |  Health Care  |  Environmental Health  |  Democracy

CLEAN ENERGY

Last year, we got the pump primed for big pushes on all of our issue areas.  The first day of the 2012 legislative session, the wheels are already turning. Our green cleaning products bill could be headed to the governor for his signature by next week!

A healthy environment, a healthy, local economy and healthy people – that's what's on our docket. 

Want specifics on our legislative agenda for 2012? Continue reading here to find out.

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By embracing an ambitious "zero waste" program, Vermont can, and should, break from current linear use of our resources, wherein which raw materials are extracted, processed into consumer goods, consumed, and then disposed primarily by being landfilled or incinerated.