The 2016 Vermont legislative session is here! VPIRG is excited to build on the nearly 45 years of success that we have achieved together and continue working in the State House to protect our environment, watch out for consumers and put Vermont on a path to a sustainable future. Click on a program name below to …
As a child growing up in southern Vermont I spent many afternoons collecting cans and bottles from friends and neighbors. This was a great way to make a little extra spending money, and to help clean things up a bit. This is an experience I am sure that thousands of Vermonters are personally familiar with …
We Won’t Let Coca-Cola Trash Vermont’s Bottle Bill Read More »
As we learn more about the impact that microbeads have on our environment, Vermonters are realizing they are something to be afraid of this Halloween. Microbeads are small plastic beads added to things like toothpaste and face washes to help with exfoliation. A recent article in the Washington Post noted that up to 8 trillion …
Kids seem to often have a better ability to recognize problems than adults do. This was certainly the case in a Windsor classroom this week as I spoke with middle school students about two major environmental issues we’re facing today- microbeads in personal care products and ever-present plastic bags. To the students, it’s simple: we …
VT students research innovative solutions to our plastic woes Read More »
Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law (Act 148) goes into effect today. The law was passed unanimously by the Vermont legislature in 2012. VPIRG believes that Act 148 will be a great complement to our state’s most successful recycling law – the Bottle Bill. Act 148 will provide an excellent opportunity to expand recycling rates for items …
The United Nations Environment Programme has released a new report in which it recommends a ban on microplastics, including microbeads, found in personal care products. The report states, “for the last 50 years, microparticles of plastic, or microplastics, have been used in personal care products and cosmetics, replacing natural options in a large number of …
Last week we brought you a list of ways to recycle more. This week we hope you’ll check out our tips on how to recycle better- read on for some common items folks commonly recycle wrong, as well as ways to make sure they’re disposed of properly. 1. Coffee Cups Last post we talked about recycling coffee …
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. When done together, these three elements of conservation can go a long way to being responsible for our own waste and maintaining a healthy planet. But with so many different kinds of waste out there, VPIRG would like to shed some light on the third R- with our top five list of …
This morning, advocates from Vermont’s environmental protection, business, and scientific community gathered alongside Lawmakers at the State House’s Cedar Creek room, in support of House Bill 4, Vermont’s bill to ban microbeads. Click Here to read the official VPIRG press release. House Fish and Wildlife Chairman Representative David Deen, cosponsor of H.4, commented on the …
This morning, the legislative push to ban microbeads from being sold in Vermont began with testimony to the Fish and Wildlife Committee. House members David Deene (D) Windham-4, Jill Krowinski (D) Chittenden 6-3, and Patti Komline (R) Bennington-Rutland, are cosponsors of the legislation to ban the sale and manufacture of microbeads in Vermont, House Bill 4. Advocates …
Important First Day for Vermont’s Bill to Ban Microbeads Read More »
