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Vermont sees spike in food donations as organics ban takes effect

original article posted here: http://www.wastedive.com/news/vermont-sees-spike-in-food-donations-as-organics-ban-takes-effect/431809/ Dive Brief: Based on a new status report from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) the state's 2012 Universal Recycling Law has led to notable results on landfill diversion. Between 2014 and 2015 disposal rates were down 5% and diversion rates increased by 2%, as reported by the Burlington Free Press. Food donation increased 40% between 2015 and 2016, with a significant increase in fresher items such as fruits, vegetables and frozen meat. The Fresh Rescue Program now has 40 partner sites throughout the state. The state aims to boost its current diversion rate of 35% to 47% by 2022. DEC estimates that the law will have led to a 37% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by then. Dive Insight: Since this law took effect…

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Compost Scavenger

It looks like someone got curious about the pile and got digging! It was most likely an opossum or a raccoon... they're around, looking snacks.  Honestly, I don't mind if they root around but in the winter it can really kill the pile's vibe. It was 20 degrees out today, and once the pile was opened up in the middle, all the heat escaped and killed the momentum.  My pile was 120F yesterday, and now it's 30F. I noticed that on Sunday it's supposed to be in the 60's... so all I have to do is re-load the pile with my food scraps and cover them up with a thicker layer of insulation (leaves). By Monday, the pile should be on its way back to work. It looks like the…

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