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Board hears state rule changes that would separate depackaging from source-separated organics
Summary
CSWD staff told commissioners that draft ANR rule changes would bar mixing source-separated organics (plate scrapings) with packaged food routed through depackagers; the change aims to preserve organics quality for compost or animal feed and could take roughly nine months to take effect.
CSWD operations staff told the board on June 24 that proposed changes to Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) rules would prohibit co-mingling of source-separated organics (household/plate scrapings) with packaged food that is processed by commercial depackagers.
Dan, who has been engaged on the state stakeholder committee, said the draft rules reflect recommendations to protect clean source-separated organics so they remain suitable for compost or animal feed rather than being routed through depackaging operations that can fragment plastics and lower the quality of outputs. He noted Vermont currently has one commercial depackager (on Avenue B in Williston) that processes packaged foods, including examples such as Ben & Jerry's pints, and that the proposed change could redirect some tons back to composting facilities like CSWD’s.
"The intent from the agency of natural resources was to preserve the quality of source-separated organics for higher and better uses such as feeding animals," Dan said. He said CSWD has capacity to handle additional food scraps in the near term and can make staffing and schedule adjustments, though the district will monitor volumes and may need further planning if quantities grow substantially.
Staff outlined a likely timeline: the ANR comment period closed June 19, staff responses are being prepared, and the rule will go to the state review committee (which meets monthly). That sequence — plus a six-month compliance window for many organics provisions — makes nine months a feasible earliest estimate for substantial operational changes to take effect, though Dan cautioned processes can take longer.
Commissioners also discussed whether state reporting systems (RETRA) differentiate packaged from non-packaged organics and whether depackager reporting could provide clearer inflow data; staff said they are pursuing more data but did not confirm that current reporting distinguishes those streams.
Board members pressed staff on capacity questions and impacts on hauling and generator practices; staff said separation at the point of generation or hauling would be required under the draft rules and that grocers and other generators may face operational changes to avoid commingling streams.
The board accepted the rulemaking memo for the public record and asked staff to continue tracking ANR’s timelines and to report back as promulgation approaches.
