CSWD household survey finds strong support for waste reduction, flags film plastics and food scraps as priorities

The Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) presented results of a 2024 household survey to its board of commissioners on May 28, showing broad public support for waste reduction and identifying packaging, plastic film and food scraps as the top challenges to diversion.

"The purpose of this work is to understand your community's knowledge and actions and viewpoints related to waste diversion and what motivates folks to make less waste," said Michael Moser of the Center for Rural Studies, who led the December 2024 online survey of Chittenden County residents.

The survey received about 1,800 responses, which Moser said yields a low margin of error for the presented results. Key findings included that 97% of respondents think reducing waste is somewhat or very important; 91% cited environmental reasons among their motivations. Respondents reported that packaging and plastic film are the largest barriers to reducing trash, and food scraps remain among the most commonly discarded items.

The survey also measured awareness and use of CSWD facilities. About 85% of respondents reported having used at least one CSWD…