Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance

09/06/2026

A big thank you to Grace Christian School in Bennington for welcoming John from BCSWA to spend some time with students talking about composting and recycling!

During three different lunch sessions, we talked with students about the importance of keeping food scraps out of the trash and composting the leftover food right in front of them. It was a great opportunity to connect with students and talk about how small actions can make a big difference.

We also had the chance to see the school's lunchroom recycling and composting setup, and it was amazing to see students as young as kindergarten already knowing how to properly source separate their food scraps and recyclables into the correct bins!

It was wonderful to see such a strong waste reduction program already in place and students who are learning these habits at such a young age. Thank you to Grace Christian School for the warm welcome and for helping teach the next generation how to reduce waste and take care of our community!

09/04/2026

Don’t forget to come see us at Garlic Town, USA Festival in Bennington tomorrow from 10am-5pm!

BCSWA will have a table at the event all day, sharing information about local recycling, composting, special recycling programs, and more. Stop by, say hi, ask questions, and learn more about what we can offer our community.

We’ll also be doing a home composting demonstration from 11:45 AM–12:15 PM.

We look forward to seeing you there!

09/02/2026

Did you know that mixed material items are not recyclable?

For instance, cardboard cannisters are often lined with foil or plastic--this means they belong in the trash.

Contamination is one of the reasons recycling costs money: it takes effort (by humans and machines!) to remove the trash mixed in with the recycling but some contamination slips through the system and reduces the worth of recyclable materials.

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08/28/2026

Sign Up For a Household Hazardous Waste Disposal this Monday 8/31 at https://bcswa.org/household-hazardous-waste-appointment/

The Facility will be closed on Labor Day and open again on Monday 9/14

08/27/2026

What should you do with old clothes and textiles?

Don’t toss them in the trash! Many items can be reused, donated, or recycled.

BCSWA’s Clothing & Textiles resources can help you find local options for keeping textiles out of the landfill and giving them a second life. ♻️

From clothing and shoes to blankets, linens, and other household textiles, there is be a better option!

👉 Check out BCSWA’s website here: https://bcswa.org/hazardous-waste/resources/clothing-textiles/ to find out where you can bring your unwanted textiles.

08/26/2026

Check out his article focused on our new Outreach Manager John Pitroff ♻ 🍎🗑

By Scott Grimm-Lyon. For John Pitroff waste reduction isn't just a profession—it's a passion. The Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance (BCSWA) recent

08/20/2026

Thank you to all of our great volunteers who helped sort waste at the Food Truck Festival this weekend. Next event for the Near Zero Waste Crew will be Garlic Town on Labor Day Weekend. See you there!

08/14/2026

Only 8 Weeks left to use the Hazardous Waste Facility! Book your appointment today.

https://bcswa.org/household-hazardous-waste-appointment/

08/13/2026

Donating non-perishable and unspoiled perishable food is a great way to support local food banks, soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters while keeping good food out of the landfill.

Restaurants, commercial kitchens, institutions, farmers, and gleaners can all play an important role in helping get nutritious food to people who need it. Perishable food donations require timely coordination and proper handling, but when done safely, they can make a meaningful difference in our communities.

It’s a win-win: people get access to nutritious food, and perfectly good food stays out of the landfill. Food donation is one of the most important ways we can reduce food waste and divert valuable resources from the trash.

The Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance has compiled a list of local food pantries and shelters to help connect good food with people who need it. Find local food pantries and shelters here: https://bcswa.org/diverting-food-scraps-organics/donating-food-pantries/

Always contact the food pantry before making a donation, especially when donating perishable food, to make sure they can accept it and have the proper storage available to keep it fresh and safe.

08/05/2026

One of our favorite parts of what we do is getting out into the community—meeting people, answering questions, and helping residents learn more about recycling, composting, and proper waste disposal.

You can find the Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance at several upcoming community events, including the Bennington Vermont Food Truck Festival on Saturday, August 15, and Garlic Town, USA Festival on Saturday, September 5. We'll also be at local farmers markets and other events throughout the year.

Stop by, say hello, and let us know how we can help! A complete list of upcoming events can be found at https://bcswa.org/bcswa-events/list/

We look forward to seeing you out in the community!