Illegal Disposal encompasses both the dumping and burning of garbage. Both acts can seriously impact human and environmental health, and both are against Vermont law.

What is Illegal Dumping?

The state of Vermont defines illegal dumping as the unlawful disposal of refuse (e.g. tires, furniture, household trash, appliances) on land within 300 feet of public or private property. In short, illegal dumping is putting trash where it's not supposed to go. The health risks, economic costs, and environmental tolls of illegal dumping impact all of us.

Health Risks

Rusted metal and glass can harm people and wildlife; children may get trapped in abandoned appliances; and tires and other containers may hold rainwater and become a breeding ground for insects.

Economic Costs

Cleaning up illegally dumped trash costs at least twice as much as properly disposing of it in the first place. And through district, town or state cleanups, your tax dollars may be paying for some of the bill.

Environmental Hazards

Hazardous waste, such as motor oil, antifreeze, batteries, and paints, can contaminate the soil and water. And illegal dumpsites can threaten wildlife habitat.

See Adopt-A-Site for information about the CVSWMD illegal dumping prevention program.

What is Illegal Burning?

It's illegal to burn household and business trash as well as treated wood in Vermont. Burning brush, leaves, and untreated wood may be allowed, but to do so requires a permit from your local fire warden.

Health and Environmental Risks

Burning trash releases all of the chemicals and particulates in the material at ground level-and into the air we breathe. The people burning the garbage and immediate neighbors are most at risk, but anyone downwind can be impacted by this pollution. The pollution also affects the air quality and surface water (rivers, streams, ponds) quality and everything and everyone that depends on them.

See Illegal Burning Prevention for information about the CVSWMD educational program.