Vermont department says universal recycling law is working

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation says Vermont’s universal recycling law has boosted recycling, composting and food donations.

A December status report shows trash disposal decreased by 5 percent across the state from 2014-2015.

During the same time, recycling and composting grew by 2 percent, or 11,790 tons.

According to the Vermont Foodbank, food donation increased by nearly 40 percent last year.

The Legislature passed the universal recycling law in 2012, with recyclables banned from the landfill in 2015.

This year, leaf, yard and clean wood debris were banned from the landfill with haulers required to offer leaf and yard debris collection.

Food scraps will be banned from the landfill on July 1, 2020.