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Blue-Bin recycling examples including; boxboard, cardboard, glass, metal, paper, and plastic.

How do we define

Blue-Bin Recycling?

Everything we categorize as Blue-Bin Recycling is banned from the landfill under Vermont Act 148 and the CSWD Solid Waste Management Ordinance. Items in this category must be clean and must not be put in the trash.

Blue-Bin recycling goes to the CSWD Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Williston, where items are sorted according to their shape and material type, baled, and sold as raw materials to make new products and packaging. For details on what happens to glass bottles and jars, see our All About Glass post.

Recycling Rules

Whether you get curbside pickup service or drop off your Blue-Bin Recycling at a CSWD Drop-Off Center, Blue-Bin Recycling rules for what’s accepted and how it must be prepared are the same throughout Vermont.

  • Recycling must be LOOSE in your cart or dumpster (please do NOT put any recycling in a plastic bag)
  • Paper & Cardboard must be clean and dry
  • Single-Use Containers must be empty and rinsed.

Single-Use Containers

Accepted Single-Use Containers

  • Bottles
  • Jars
  • Cans
  • Jugs
  • Tubs
  • Rigid plastic packaging

Not Accepted Single-Use Containers

The following items and materials are common mistakes that cause significant problems in the system, including dangers for workers at our facilities. Please DO NOT include them in your recycling bin.

  • No containers or packaging smaller than 2 inches in two directions (length and width, or measurement across for lids)
  • No dirty/food-coated containers
  • No durable plastic containers (storage bins, laundry hampers, food containers like Tupperware or Rubbermaid brands, etc.)
  • No plastic bags or wrap
  • No hazardous waste containers (motor oil, pesticides, etc.) even if empty

These items and materials often appear in recycling bins. Though they do not cause significant problems or pose any dangers to staff, it benefits the system to leave them out and they will not be recycled into new products

  • Containers and packaging with plastic resin codes #6/PS and #7/OTHER
  • Containers and packaging made from black plastic

Paper & Cardboard

Accepted Paper & Cardboard

  • Office paper
  • Mail
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Boxboard

Not Accepted Paper & Cardboard

  • No wax- or plastic-coated cardboard
  • No cartons from milk, juice, soup or ice cream
  • No paper cups
  • No envelopes with plastic padding
  • No paper towels or napkins

Disposal Options

Dispose with CSWD

All CSWD Drop-Off Centers accept up to three cubic yards of Blue-Bin Recycling.

Businesses with recurring loads of more than a cubic yard of recycling must contact CSWD’s Business Outreach Coordinator to review your recycling options.

Other Services

Hire a Pick-up Service

Contact Your Town

Three Chittenden County communities have different setups.

Fees & Payment Methods

Amount Fees Notes
up to 1 cubic yard $0.00 If brought with at least 13 gallons of trash.
up to 1 cubic yard $2.00 If brought without trash
Each additional yard $5.00
Amount Fees Notes
per ton $90.00

A to Z List

Have a specific item in mind? Use our A-Z list search to learn how to properly dispose of it.

Recycling Education


Examples of glass containters that can be recycled.

All About Glass

Glass recycling is a complicated subject. The story is long, and the process…

Related Events


See upcoming CSWD Workshops and Tours, and holidays that may affect Drop-Off Center hours.

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