Projects

Completed Projects

2022

2017

2016

2015

Vermont School Recycling and Composting - Grant
Vermont School Recycling and Composting - Grant
NERC was awarded a Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Waste Management and Prevention Division “Universal Recycling School Grant” to implement recycling and organics diversion programs in a minimum of four schools (k-12) in Bennington County in southern Vermont. The goal of the grant was to help schools come into compliance with the requirements of the Universal Recycling law and help to educate the next generation of Vermonters on how easy and important it is to recycle and divert organics. NERC was one of four entities to receive a School Grant award.

Through the project, NERC conducted the following activities:
1. Held stakeholder meetings at each school to set goals, discuss costs, review program roll out, etc. Written documentation, to include a summary of the meetings and a plan for program implementation in each participating school was completed.
2. Conducted an onsite waste assessment of each school to establish baseline estimate of the amount of trash produced before program launch, status and success of existing waste reduction and recycling programs, program logistics, staffing needs, etc. A waste assessment report for each participating school was completed.
3. Determined infrastructure needs for implementing recycling and organics diversion at each school, including containers for recycling and organics collection, separation area equipment/tables, posters, etc. Funding wa allocated through the grant to purchase necessary supplies.
4. Conducted recycling and organics diversion trainings and education for students, faculty, and staff at each school and successfully launched recycling and organics diversion programs.
5. Provided outreach to local area news publications on the program purpose and school recycling and organics diversion activities and achievements.
6. Troubleshoot any issues and work with school, hauler(s), school district business staff, and others as needed to assess trash collection cost saving.
Simplifying Environmentally Preferable Purchasing - Grant