Aerosol cans that contained a hazardous material such as paints or pesticides and are empty can go in the trash. Those with any quantity in them should be brought to a household hazardous waste collection event. Empty aerosol cans that did not contain a hazardous product can be recycled.
Air conditioners and other freon appliances are accepted for a fee at Wright Brothers Metal Recycling in Newport.
These are not recyclable, therefore they are trash unless you can donate to a local shipping store or local post office.
Clean (no food or other residue) aluminum cans, pie plates and tinfoil can be placed into your recycling bin.
Unwanted ammunition, road flares, and fireworks must be handled properly. Call the State Police Explosives Unit for disposal options.
Contact the State Solid Waste Management Program at 802-828-1138.
Antifreeze can be brought to a household hazardous waste collection event. Visit the HHW Events page for information on upcoming events.
These include: clothes dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, ranges stoves and water heaters.
Appliances, if in working condition, should be reused if possible. Place an ad on Craigslist or Front Porch Forum.
If they are not in working order, and they do not contain Freon, they can be brought to the Casella drop-off in Coventry. Visit the Transfer Station page for contact and other information.
If they do contain Freon, they can be brought to Wright Brothers Metal Recycling (1474-1598 Crawford Farm Rd, Newport, VT 05855; 802-334-2453).
Must be landfilled.
Both friable and non-friable asbestos must be handled and disposed of carefully. Contact the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources at 802-863-7236, or toll-free in Vermont 800-439-8550, for a list of licensed asbestos abatement contractors. You can also contact the Vermont Department of Health Lead and Asbestos Program (802-865-7784 or 800-439-8550) for assistance with health concerns about asbestos.
Recycling options are not currently available, please place them in the trash.
A great fertilizer, especially in the spring. Spread on your lawn or garden. Ashes can also be taken to the yard waste disposal drop off if they are cold! If not, they are a significant fire hazard. Wet them down, or store in a metal can until they have cooled completely before transporting.
Construction and Demolition material is accepted with a fee at the Casella Drop-Off facility in Coventry. Visit the Transfer Station page for contact and other information.
Junk cars can be brought to Wright Brothers Metal Recycling in Newport. Donate working vehicles (or even those in need of repair) to a reuse outlet.
Good News Garage: 877-448-3288
Community Action Motors: 802-476-7800
Wheels for Wishes: 877-675-9474 (WISH)
Cars to Cure Breast Cancer: 855-450-2873
Charity Cars: 800-Charity
These materials can be brought to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.
Alkaline batteries from AAA to 12volt are accepted in the trash. Rechargeable, lithium and button cell batteries can be recycled at Casella’s drop-off in Coventry. The drop-off will also accept automobile batteries for a fee. Mercury containing batteries can be brought to Household Hazardous Waste Day.
To find more about locations that accept batteries please visit call2recycle.org/locator.
If books are still in good condition, donate to a used bookstore, thrift store or community rummage sale. Unusable paperbacks and magazines can go in regular recycling while hardcovers go into the trash if they are not repurposed in another one of the above avenues. You can remove the covers and place the pages in recycling.
Less than 2” in diameter are trash. Larger than 2” in diameter and displaying a recycle logo are recyclable.
If they are clean (empty and rinsed), place in your recycle bin.
Box Springs and Mattresses are accepted for a fee at the Casella drop-off in Coventry.
If it is clean, break down and place in your recycle bin.
These are not recyclable, therefore they are trash unless you can donate to a local shipping store or local post office.
Construction and Demolition materials are accepted for a fee at the Casella Drop-Off facility in Coventry.
If they are clean (empty and rinsed), place in your recycle bin.
Recycle (clean and broken down)
Carpets are accepted for a fee at Casella Drop-Off facility in Coventry.
If conventional clumping litter, it goes in the trash.
If you use a natural plant-based litter, composting may be an option. Keep in mind when composting cat litter that it is easy to do, but should be kept separate from regular food-scrap based compost, and, when the composting process is complete, should be used on ornamentals only. Compost cat litter for 12 – 18 months to be certain pathogens have been killed by the composting process.
Can be place in your recycle bin.
Contact companies and ask to be removed from mailing list if unwanted.
To remove your name from most national direct marketing lists, register with the Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Mail Preference Service. Send a written request with your name as it appears on all catalog labels to:
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735
See also Jewel Cases
Place in recycling
See also DVDs, game disks
If unscratched, consider selling on ebay, Craigslist, Front Porch Forum or bring them to Resource in Burlington. CD and DVD’s are not recyclable and must be placed in the trash if they cannot be repurposed.
There are a number of options for broken or unwanted cell phones. You can donate your working cell phone to Voices Against Violence in St. Albans for use by victims of domestic violence.
Cell phones are also accepted for recycling at some cell phone stores and any Vermont Electronic Recycling facility. They are accepted at the Derby Town Garage.
Trees can be brought to the Coventry Drop-Off.
The first choice option for clean wood is to save for home heating purposes or for future household projects. Clean wood is also accepted at some transfer stations, such as Casella Hyde Park Transfer ((802) 223-7045). Clean wood includes untreated wood, unpainted wood, pallets and other wood scraps that have not been altered.
Bring anything marked, “Danger, Hazard, Warning or Caution” to a Household Hazardous Waste collection.
Donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army or the local thrift store, NECKA, in Newport (802-334-3447).
See Electronics
Check out the Vermont E-Waste Recycling program for more details on the program.
Construction and Demolition materials are accepted for a fee at the Casella Drop-Off facility in Coventry.
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources provides information about deconstruction here.
Construction and Demolition materials are accepted for a fee at the Casella Drop-Off facility in Coventry.
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources provides information about deconstruction here.
If they are clean (empty and rinsed) plastics #1 and #2 only, place in your recycle bin.
See print cartridges
Recycle at point of purchase in most cases. Staples has a program that recycles all toners and cartridges in store or online – up to 10 per month. In some cases you may earn rebates toward future purchases. More information about the Staples program can be found here. Or click here for more information about free nationwide toner printer cartridge recycling services.
Click here for information about the Vermont E-Waste Recycling Program.
See wine corks
There are no recycling options for corks in Coventry. You can separate regular cork from imitation cork and bring them to the Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers in South Burlington or visit Recork.
Check with your school, nursing home or daycare as crayons can be used in craft projects. You can also send them to Crazy Crayon’s National Crayon Recycle Program.
Dehumidifiers are accepted for a fee at Wright Brothers Metal Recycling in Newport, VT.
Construction and Demolition materials are accepted for a fee at the Coventry Landfill Drop-Off.
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources provides information about deconstruction here.
See also CDs and Game Disks
If unscratched, ReStore in Barre– 802-477-7800
CD and DVDs are not recyclable and must be placed in the trash if they cannot be repurposed.
If you know someone with chickens, they may like them. Paper ones can be placed in your recycling bin or composted. Styrofoam cartons go in trash.
Check out the Vermont E-Waste Recycling program for more details on the program.
Electronics are accepted at the Derby Recycling Center ( (802)-766-4906). Electronics include: TVs, laptops, VCRs, DVD players, game consoles, stereos, fax machines, keyboards, mouse, phones and Mp3 players.
Used eyeglasses can be donated year-round through collection boxes located at offices of members of the American Optometric Association, Goodwill stores and Lens Crafters and most optometrist offices. Call 800-74-SIGHT for collection information.
Unwanted fire extinguishers – Vermont Fire Extinguisher – 476-6116. Standard dry chemical fire extinguishers can be safely discarded as long as they are empty.
Unwanted ammunition, road flares, and fireworks must be handled properly. Call the State Police Explosives Unit 802-244-8727 before moving explosives and shock-sensitive materials. PLEASE do not dispose of any of these items in your trash. They are NOT accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection days.
Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes can be brought to the Casella drop-off in Coventry, VT ((802) 334-8300).They are also accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Events.
Recycle clean foil and pie plates.
Compost food waste in your back yard. Feed leftover food to chickens if you have them. Donate extra food (unopened) to the Vermont Food Bank or local donation option here. Bring to Casella drop-off in Coventry or contract with a local hauler to pick-up at your home.
ReStore– 802-477-7800
These are hazardous waste and must be brought to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
Place clean glass in your recycling bin. Window pane glass is not recyclable and must go in the trash.
See eyeglasses
This is not recyclable in your regular recycling.
Glassware that is considered Construction and Demolition materials are accepted for a fee at the Casella drop-off in Coventry.
If glassware and ceramic containers can be repurposed then take them to same places as textiles/clothing: Thrift Shops
Salvation Army
ReStore
You can bring household hazardous waste to any one of the scheduled Hazardous Waste Collection Events. Visit the HHW Events page for more information.
Recycle unwanted or older hearing aids and assistive devices at the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Securely package the donation and mail to:
Hear Now
6700 Washington Avenue South
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
866-354-3254
Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste collection.
Needles, lancets and syringes used for home health care are not regulated and can go in the trash. To protect workers in the waste industry, place all needles in a sealed container and label it “Sharps – Do Not Recycle.” A plastic soda or laundry detergent bottle with a lid makes a good container, but remember any type of plastic bottle that you use to put needles in does not belong in your recycling bin.
Plastic irons can go in the regular trash. Metal irons can be recycled as scrap metal provided they do not contain a mercury switch (older irons would have one).
See also CD covers
Put in regular recycling
Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste collection. If dried up can go in trash.
See catalogs
Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
Containers with any quantity in them should come to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. Your local hardware store may take them as well. Both latex and acrylic paint are safe to go in the trash as long as the contents are completely dried up. If there is a little bit in the can, take the lid off and let it air dry (keep away from children and pets). If there is a lot in the can you can add saw dust or crumpled up newspaper and once that is dry, it can go in the trash. If you have a full can that you want to get rid of, contact 855-724-6809 or visit www.paintcare.org for a list of locations that accept paint.
Wood with lead paint is considered contaminated and needs to be disposed as a solid waste. Lead paint chips that have been scraped off wood siding, windows, furniture, etc. are consider household hazardous waste, and should be brought to a HHW collection.
Composting is the best answer for these types of materials. Piling leaves, brush, branches, limbs, logs, grass clippings and other yard waste near your composter will provide you with ample material throughout the year to generate compost for your garden. You can rent a small chipper for little money to turn larger brush into mulch for your compost or garden. You can also bring leaf and yard waste to any facility that accepts trash between April-December, visit the Transfer Station page for location and contact information.
Place in your recycling bin.
Home generated medical waste can be disposed of in your regular household trash. For sharps, see Hypodermic needles/sharps.
Regulated medical waste (generated in the medical setting) requires special handling. Please contact Ben Gauthier with Vermont DEC at (802)522-5080 or Benjamin.Gauthier@vermont.gov with questions about regulated medical waste.
In most cases, unwanted medication should be placed in the trash. See pharmaceuticals or prescription pills. Occasionally, disposal events are put on by law enforcement. Check with local law enforcement when the next event would be in your area.
This includes mercury containing thermometers, switches, relays, neon signs, thermostats, bulbs and other mercury containing products – can be brought to a Household Hazardous Waste Event.
In addition to these one day events, thermostats can be brought to Blodgett Supply in Newport, VT ((802) 334-0151). Bulbs can be brought to the Coventry Landfill Drop-Off in Coventry, VT ((802) 334-8300) .
Can be placed in the scrap metal container at the Casella Drop-Off in Coventry. Microwaves are not considered electronic waste.
Used motor oil (no antifreeze or gasoline mixed in) can be taken to the Casella drop-off in Coventry. Visit the Transfer Station page for contact and other information.
Place in recycling bin. Newspapers MAY be used in compost – HOWEVER be sure that the makeup of your newspapers ink is compatible with the type of compost you are trying to harvest.
Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. Also, check out the PaintCare website (www.paintcare.org) for complete list of sites that collect o paints throughout the State of Vermont.
PaintCare sites accept house paint and primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings (e.g., shellac and varnish) but we do not accept aerosols (spray cans), solvents, and products intended for industrial or non-architectural use. The products we accept are referred to as “PaintCare Products” or “architectural paint” and they must be in containers that are no larger than 5 gallons in size. Paint must be in its original container and the container must have the original manufacturer’s printed label and a secured lid to be accepted at retail drop-off sites. We cannot accept open or leaking cans. Please review the following detailed list to find out what can be accepted, prior to dropping off your paint.
These products are part of the program. They have fees when you purchase them, and they are accepted for free when you take them to drop-off sites.
These products are not part of the program. They have no fees when you purchase them, and they are not accepted at drop-off sites.
You can also bring paint to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. Also, check out the PaintCare website for a complete list of sites that collect paints throughout the State of Vermont.
Place in recycling bin.
Bring pesticides to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
Unused medications/pharmaceuticals can be dropped off at the Newport Police Department or North Country Hospital. You can also request a free medication mail-back envelope from the Department of Health here.
Place in recycling bin.
Remove any leftovers and place in recycling bin. If the box has grease on the inside then place in the trash.
First we encourage you to reuse them, or use cloth bags; don’t use plastic bags in the first place.
PLEASE do not place them in with your curbside or zero sort recycling. You can bring them to most major grocery store plastic bag recycling bins:
Plastic grocery bags get recycled at:
Plastics #1 and 2 are banned from disposal in Vermont. Place in recycling bin – must be empty and clean.
Return to the retailer for refill or exchange. The new style tanks are refillable. Please check with a local hardware store or convenience store for an exchange program. Empty handheld propane cylinders can go to the Casella drop-off in Coventry, visit the Transfer Station page for contact and other information. Wright Brothers Metal Recycling in Newport ((802) 334-2453) will accept larger propane tanks.
Recyclables can be dropped off at the Coventry Landfill Drop-Off. Must be clean (no food or other residue) and dry. You can also choose to have a hauler pick up your recyclables curbside.
Smoke detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material, which does not travel very far, even in air. Nonetheless, do not open the insides of a smoke detector, as that could remove the shielding, possibly exposing you to levels above background. Vermont residents may dispose of smoke detectors as trash.
Alternatively, smoke detectors may be mailed back to the manufacturer for recycling. Mail smoke detectors by surface or UPS ground mail. (Specify on the package that they should not be shipped via air.) Contact the manufacturer’s toll-free number for instructions and mailing address.
Two manufacturers that make a large percentage of the smoke detectors in use may be reached at the following numbers:
Businesses with smoke detectors should call the Vermont Environmental Assistance Division in at 1-800-974-9559, to receive information about proper disposal.
Clean (no food or other residue) steel cans can be placed into your recycling bin.
Styrofoam is not recyclable and can be placed in the trash. Try purchasing products that do not contain Styrofoam.
See electronics
Mercury containing thermostats are banned from disposal in Vermont. Thermostats can be taken back to:
Tires not on the rim can be brought to the Casella drop-off facility in Coventry, visit the Transfer Station page for contact and other information. Applicable fees may apply.
