Brattleboro launches municipal composting program

The Brattleboro Department of Public Works has added a new truck for the effort and brought on two workers.

A town-run compost collection service is now getting underway as part of a broader change to local solid waste operations.

The Brattleboro Department of Public Works has added a new truck for the effort and brought on two workers, according to Dan Tyler, the department’s director. One of the employees has already been on the job and training for about two weeks, while the second is scheduled to begin Monday, the same day the new service setup takes effect.

Under the revised system, compost will be collected every week by the town and delivered to the Windham Solid Waste Management District facility through a separate agreement. Town officials say the intent is to make the transition as smooth as possible while giving residents another way to keep organic material out of the waste stream.

At the same time, Casella Waste Systems is changing recycling pickup from weekly service to every other week. Tyler said the town expects the compost side of the program to feel mostly familiar, aside from the fact that the hauler will now be municipal rather than private.

Trash and recycling will still be handled on the same day, and the same recycling carts will remain in use. Residents may continue using what they already have, though they are being asked to mark the contents of each container. Because recycling will arrive less often, officials suggest some households may want a larger bin or an extra one.

Recycling and compost bins are available at the Finance Department in Suite 111 of the Municipal Center. Recycling containers cost $15, and supplies are limited. Green, 13-gallon compost containers are also being sold through the Finance Office for $30, and town staff say those are easiest to identify during collection. If another type of container is used, it should be clearly marked Compost.

Participation tracking is optional, but residents may register their address as an active compost user so the town can monitor use and diversion rates. Officials say the changes are meant to improve operations and support a more sustainable waste system for Brattleboro.