This Program has not yet been implemented for residents and Very Small Quantity Generators, however, HHW/VSQG waste collection services are still available through Solid Waste Management Entities (SWMEs) HHW events and facilities (click for more information).
Act 58 of 2023 - Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) EPR Law
Act 58 was signed by the Governor in June 2023 and will require manufacturers of some of the most toxic forms of solid waste to assist with covering the costs for managing these wastes at their end-of-life. For more than 30 years, state law has required municipalities to offer collection of HHW and the costs have grown significantly. This law requires manufacturers to help fund this collection system and to offer public education including source reduction information for consumers.
State law mandates that producers of "covered household hazardous products" form a Stewardship Organization that can implement the obligations of this new law. The Agency is aware of steps being taken by the Household and Commercial Products Association (HCPA) to develop the Household Product Stewardship Alliance (HPSA), to serve as the Stewardship Organization and work collectively to meet the obligations of all producers affected by the law. HPSA is seeking producers to register with them as soon as possible and can be contacted at Info@HPSalliance.org
The Stewardship Organization will have some discretion on how to implement a program that meets the requirements of the law, including structuring fees producers will need to pay. Producers that join early will be able to provide input into this process.
Implementation will take effect 6-months after Plan approval, likely sometime in 2026.
ANR will be providing guidance to product manufacturers and solid waste management entities via this website, stakeholder meetings, and ongoing communications in addition registering a stewardship organization and reviewing and approving a collection plan and related reporting requirements. ANR will be responsible for ensuring compliance of all covered manufacturers and their products under this new law.
This page will be updated regularly on the first Monday of each month. Please see below under "Resources" for the most current version of the "Covered Products List."
Proper Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste
If you can't use up household hazardous products, dispose of it at an HHW facility or event instead of dumping it down the drain or tossing it in the trash.
Solid waste management entities are required to provide collection events or facilities to residents and small businesses.
Residents: Contact your local solid waste management entity for a list of year round drop off locations and dates of seasonal collection events.
Small Businesses: Businesses which have Very Small Quantity Generator Status can contact your local solid waste management entity about collection of your hazardous waste.
Certain items such as paint, batteries, electronics, mercury thermostats and bulbs have convenient, year-round options for recycling at hardware stores, paint retailers, and some transfer stations. These waste products are managed with the assistance of product stewardship programs funded by their manufacturers. See additional details on our Product Stewardship page or our What Do I Do With... page.
Pharmaceuticals can be disposed of at annual events or year-round drop off centers. The Agency of Health website has a map of permanent drug disposal sites in Vermont.
Vermont Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law Timeline
January 15, 2024 – ANR Fee Recommendation: ANR shall submit to the Legislature a recommended annual registration fee for its oversight of the household hazardous waste EPR program. See ANR's Fee Recommendation Memo here.
July 1, 2025 – Stewardship Org. Registration: A stewardship organization shall file a registration form with ANR and the Secretary shall only approve one stewardship organization for the first collection plan (up to 5 years).
July 1, 2025 – Collection Plan: For the first Collection Plan one stewardship organization registered with ANR must submit ONE Collection Plan for all manufacturers to ANR. ANR shall approve the Plan for up to 5 years. ANR must hold public comment period during approval process. After the first collection plan (up to 5 years), multiple stewardship organizations may register with ANR and must collaborate to submit ONE Collection Plan for the next plan period.
July 1, 2025 – Covered HHW Disposal Banned: Landfill disposal ban on Covered Household Hazardous Products goes into effect.
6-months After Plan Approval (DATE TBD):
- Collection Plan Implementation: Stewardship organizations must implement the Collection Plan 6 months after ANR approval (potentially March 1, 2026, assuming plan approval is complete by October 1, 2025).
- Sale Prohibited of Household Hazardous Products that Don’t Participate: Manufacturers cannot sell covered household hazardous products into Vermont unless they are participating in the approved Collection Plan.
18-months After Plan Implemented (DATE TBD) - Annual Reports: Stewardship organization(s) submits the annual report to ANR 18 months after Plan implementation (potentially September 1, 2027) and annually thereafter.
Public Awareness Surveys: During the first year of program implementation (Program Year 1 - 2026), and two years after adoption of the collection plan (DATE TBD), the stewardship organization(s) must complete an annual Public Awareness Survey and report these results to ANR with their annual report.
Annual Performance Goal: During each year of the ANR approved Collection Plan—depending on how long ANR approves the first Plan for—the stewardship organization(s) Plan is required to meet a minimum annual performance goal of a 5% participation rate based on the number of households the collection program serves. Annual Performance Goal data shall be submitted to ANR with the annual report. After the end of the initial approved Collection Plan, the stewardship organization shall propose an annual performance goal for subsequent Collection Plans.
September 1, 2030 – Collection Plan Audit: Stewardship organization(s) is required to submit a Collection Plan Audit to ANR and every 5 years thereafter.
The DEC Solid Waste Management Program occasionally hosts informational meetings to help manufacturers understand their obligations under this new law.
Contact Mia Roethlein at mia.roethlein@vermont.gov or 802-522-5926 if you have questions about HHW EPR or wish to join informational meetings.
Resources:
- Act 58: Vermont’s HHW EPR Law
- Timeline HHW EPR
- FAQ HHW EPR - Updated the first Monday of each month. Current version dated Dec 2, 2024.
- Covered Products List HHW EPR - Updated the first Monday of each month. Current version dated Nov 4, 2024.
- Map of Vermont's Permanent HHW/VSQG Facilities
- Letter to Producers on Obligations under HHW EPR Law
- ANR's Fee Recommendation Memo to the Legislature
- Household Products Stewardship Alliance and Reverse Logistics Group presentations from August 12, 2024 PRODUCER'S and ANR meeting.
- Recording of ANR and Producer's meeting, September 19, 2024.