Vermont

Impacts of Vermont’s single-use plastic ban, four years later

Published

2 years ago

April 23, 2024

Impacts of Vermont’s single-use plastic ban, four years later

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – State officials say single-use items like paper and packaging make up almost a third of Vermont’s trash, which is why a 2020 law was implemented to reduce the impact on our landfill and the environment.

The goal of the law is to lessen the harmful effects of plastics and the amount of trash in landfills. That’s why grocery stores made the switch to paper bags, and people are encouraged to use reusable bags. For some Vermonters, bringing reusable bags on an errand is second nature.

“I always bring my own shopping bags. If I don’t have them, I’m not going shopping,” said Scarlett Duncan of Burlington.

While picking up groceries at Burlington’s City Market, Scarlett Duncan says she’s made it a priority to go green and has noticed others have gotten on the reusable train too.

“I think I see way more people with bags now than let’s say five years ago, way more,” she said.

A 2023 University of Vermont study found that consumers used 91% fewer plastic bags on average after the law was implemented.

Even before the law was implemented, Cheray MacFarland of City Market says the Co-op offered thicker plastic bags that customers were encouraged to reuse, with around 600,000 distributed a year. But when the law came, the plastic left.

“It hasn’t necessarily bucked the trends. People are still using as many paper bags. But for as long as City Market has sort of been around, we’ve been pushing reusable bags,” said MacFarland.

MacFarland says while some customers had questions about where the reusable plastic bags went, they don’t get complaints about the paper bags.

She says the paper bags are more expensive, at around double what the plastic bags cost., and notes that the 10-cent fee doesn’t really cover it.

The Co-op also has a café and takeout options, all of which use take-out containers made with recyclable or compostable material.

“If it’s plastic that isn’t recycled, it’s just as dangerous as the single use. So we make sure that everything that’s sourced is fully recycled. That’s definitely been top of mind,” said MacFarland.

The ban doesn’t only apply to plastic bags – it includes styrofoam containers, plastic stir sticks, and makes plastic straws available by request.

Alyssa Eiklor of Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources says retailers have gotten on board. She says they haven’t had to issue any fines, and have only received a handful of complaints.

“In those instances, we either reach out to the business over the phone or we visit them and we just make sure that they understand the law – that they know it exists. Sometimes there’s confusion, especially early on, a lot of places thought that compostable plastic bags were exempt, which they’re not,” said Eiklor.

Source link

Click to comment

Vermont

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

5 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

How to see a reindeer in Vermont

Vermont Reindeer Farm in West Charleston is home to the only three reindeer, or caribou, living in the state. Here’s what it’s like to visit them.

Looking for ways to enjoy the rest of the cold New England winter?

While staying indoors often seems better than facing the cold, the region has lots of outdoor activities that brighten the winter season, including skiing, snow tubing and, of course, ice skating. From Burlington to Stratton, Vermont has plenty of indoor and outdoor ice rinks, many of which offer lessons, concessions and special events in addition to ice skating.

Here are five places in Vermont where you can go ice skating this winter.

Spruce Peak Village Ice Rink

This outdoor ice rink is located in the heart of the village at Spruce Peak, a ski resort in Stowe formerly known as Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Guests can skate daily surrounded by the majestic ski slopes of the Green Mountains. On Friday nights, the Spruce Peak Village ice rink hosts glow skate parties with a light show, glow sticks and a live DJ. Skate rentals and lessons are also available for purchase.

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Spruce Peak, 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe

Ice Haus Arena

Located up at Jay Peak Resort near the Canadian border, Ice Haus Arena is the newest ice-skating arena in the state. The indoor rink is complete with bleacher seating, a rental and repair shop, four locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar and of course, an NHL-sized rink where guests can participate in public skating or skating with sticks and pucks.

General admission to the rink is $6, with skate rentals available for $6, skate sharpening available for $7 and helmets available for $3.

When: Online schedule updated daily

Where: Jay Peak Resort, 830 Jay Peak Road, Jay

C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena

This indoor arena has not one, but two NHL-size ice rinks for hockey, public skating and stick and puck practices. Off the ice, Cairns Arena also offers a pro shop and a cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.

Skating at Cairns costs $5 for adults or $3 for children and seniors, and skates are available to rent for an additional $5.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday, with exceptions. Check the online schedule at cairnsarena.finnlyconnect.com..

Where: 600 Swift St., South Burlington

Mill House at Stratton Mountain Resort

Surrounded by the scenic Stratton Mountain Resort, Mill House Pond is the perfect outdoor spot for public ice skating or skating lessons.

Public skating costs $20, and bookings can be made online.

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday or noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Sunday-Monday

Where: Stratton Mountain Resort, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain

Riley Rink at Hunter Park

A large indoor sports facility, Northshore Civic Center has an Olympic-sized ice rink, along with a concession stand and retail shop. The rink offers public skating, stick and puck practice, hockey and skating lessons.

When: Check the online schedule for weekly updates

Where: 410 Hunter Park Road, Manchester Center

Source link

Vermont

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Published

17 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Staff reports
| USA TODAY Network

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Vermont rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 375 in the week ending February 21, up from 357 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 212,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 208,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 132.0%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 49.9%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.

Source link

Vermont

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.