State grant supports Oct. 3 household hazardous waste collection
September 26, 2026 | By John MalterThis post was updated on Sept. 30 with additional information about the Mad River Resource Management Alliance.
The Mad River Resource Management Alliance recently received a state grant to support its Oct. 3 annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event at Crossett Brook Middle School.
The collection will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free for residents of the alliance, which covers Waterbury, Moretown, Fayston, Waitsfield and Warren. Duxbury is not a member town in the alliance.
Household hazardous waste includes paints such as aerosol spray paints. File photo by Lisa Scagliotti
Local residents may bring pesticides, compact fluorescent lightbulbs and tubes, architectural oil and latex paint, and primary batteries to this event at no charge. Also included is free disposal of up to 10 gallons of liquid or 10 pounds of solids at no additional charge. Additional waste is accepted for a fee of $5 per unit.
Non-residents of the alliance may participate in the collection for a $30 registration fee and no free disposal of the 10 additional units of waste.
Small businesses are required to preregister by Sept. 30, indicating what they plan to drop off so we can determine the cost in advance. Business waste will only be accepted between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Payment is expected at the time of disposal. Preregister with an email to malterport@aol.com.
The collection will accept mercury thermostats for which there is a $5 rebate card. Thermostats must include the cover.
Mercury fever thermometers also will be collected and swapped with a digital replacement, one per household.
The collection will not accept: compressed gases, fire extinguishers, ammunition, explosives, medical waste, radioactive waste, electronics or tires.
The alliance has received a grant of $11,638 from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to support its programs this year, a key one being the household hazardous waste collection. The grant helps cover costs for what has now become an annual rather than twice-yearly collection. The two collection events in 2025 ran more than $76,500.
Per-capita fees paid by the alliance’s five member communities continue to be the largest source of funding for the organization and support for its various programs. That fee currently is $7 per capita.
Changes are coming to help support districts such as the alliance. New legislation that was to go into effect this year (now delayed to 2027) will address Expanded Producer Responsibility for household hazardous waste and should begin to provide funding from producers of hazardous materials for their handling and disposal.
The hope is that this new revenue stream will further defray costs for operating the district and its programs. My goal as the MRRMA Administrator is to be able to lower the per capita fee from our member towns in the MRRMA in the not-too-distant future.
For more information, contact John Malter at 802-244-7373.