Hazardous Waste Section
The Vermont Hazardous Waste Section regulates the generation, transportation, storage, treatment, recycling and disposal of hazardous waste, used oil, and universal hazardous waste. The program, which is authorized by the US EPA to be implemented in lieu of the federal hazardous waste program, maintains the Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Regulations (VHWMR). The program conducts inspections to evaluate compliance and responds to citizens' complaints regarding the mishandling of hazardous waste, tracks hazardous waste manifests (shipping records) to ensure all hazardous wastes are delivered to appropriate facilities, issues permits to facilities that engage in long-term or commercial storage and facilities that treat or dispose of hazardous waste, provides regulatory assistance, and tracks hazardous waste data.
What is a Hazardous Waste?
Hazardous waste is waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable of having a harmful effect on human health or the environment. Hazardous characteristics include ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. A hazardous waste is considered to have been “generated” when it is put into a container for disposal or a determination has been made that the material is no longer useable. Hazardous wastes managed in the course of running a business, including wastes from municipalities and from businesses operated out of a home, are regulated by the VHWMR.
Important Program News and Links:
- Vermont Hazardous Waste Newsletter - November 2024
- Green Mountain Power's permit renewal for its hazardous waste treatment and storage facility located at 296 Greens Hill Lane in Rutland, Vermont has been approved. View the permit on the Hazardous Waste Permitting webpage.
- General Electric's permit renewal to conduct hazardous waste post-closure and corrective action activities occurring at 270 Windcrest Road, in North Clarendon/Rutland, Vermont has been approved. View the permit on the Hazardous Waste Permitting webpage.
- A Class II Permit Modification for Global Foundries' hazardous waste treatment and storage facility located at 1000 River Street, Essex Junction, Vermont has been approved. View the updated permit on our Hazardous Waste Permitting webpage.
- View the recorded webinar on changes to the VHWMR - August 2022
- Access the webinar presentation slides
- Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Regulations Effective February 1, 2022
- Hazardous Waste Program Contacts