Act 148, the universal recycling law passed by the legislature in 2012 will be taking effect quite soon. The law bans disposal of recyclables (metal, glass, plastics #1 & #2, and paper/cardboard) by JULY 1, 2015; leaf and yard debris and clean wood by JULY 1, 2016; and food scraps by JULY 1, 2020. It …
Most of us have heard of the great pacific garbage patch- that amorphous pile of floating waste in the Pacific Ocean that stands as a monument to humanity’s throw away culture. But did you know that there are actually eight garbage patches in total, and five rotating garbage churns know as gyres? That’s where the 5 Gyres …
Here at VPIRG, we remain more committed than ever to defend and eventually expand the state’s most effective recycling program, the bottle bill. Next week, Massachusetts residents will vote on whether or not to expand the state’s bottle bill. Boston Globe columnist Thomas Farragher was all set on voting no. See what made him change …
VICTORIES on GMOs, Toxics, Solar, and more! If you support VPIRG because we’re the kind of organization that takes on the tough fights on important issues and gets results, then I have good news for you. Our advocates, organizers, interns and member volunteers just completed one of the most successful legislative sessions in VPIRG’s 42 …
VPIRG took on some of the nation’s most powerful corporate interests in the 2014 legislative session, and we won! From landmark legislation requiring GMO foods to be labeled to expanding opportunities for Vermont families to go solar, this was an incredible year. We also helped to pass a new law that will help protect kids …
Its official- this Tuesday Bennington Senator Bob Hartwell asked legislative council to remove provisions from Senate Bill S. 208 that otherwise would have weakened Vermont’s Bottle Bill. The proposed language would have eliminated the 15 cent deposit on liquor bottles, as well as the deposit on any container greater than 1 liter in volume. The …
This morning, VPIRG Executive Director Paul Burns testified before the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee to oppose provisions within S.208 that would mean cutbacks to Vermont’s Bottle Bill. His testimony focused on the history of environmental success of the Bottle Bill, as well as the overwhelming popularity of the program with Vermonters. You can …
VPIRG and Allies Testify to Protect Vermont’s Bottle Bill Read More »
Although it’s hard to believe, but the Senate Natural Resources committee is working on a bill that would repeal portions of the Bottle Bill. The sponsor of this legislation and Chair of this Committee, Senator Hartwell, has made his vision clear, stating: “At some point, the bottle bill will be eliminated.”1 Senator Harwell’s bill (S. …
Protection from Untested Toxic Threats Every day, Vermonters are exposed daily to toxic chemicals because the federal government doesn’t require chemicals to be tested before they end up in the everyday products in your home. Meanwhile, rates of health problems linked to chemical exposure—including cancer, infertility, asthma, learning disabilities — are all on the rise. …
2014 Legislative Priorities: Environmental Health Read More »
Legislators gathered yesterday to tour the TOMRA recycling facility in Essex. They were given an inside look at beverage container recycling in Vermont, with presentations from TOMRA, the owner of Essex Discount Beverage owner, and the President of Quebec’s 2M Ressources – a company that buys recyclable material from Vermont. After presentations about the redemption …
