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.

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Vermont

Wrong-way driver stopped on I-89, charged with DUI

Published

14 minutes ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Wrong-way driver stopped on I-89, charged with DUI

BOLTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A wrong-way driver was safely stopped on Interstate 89 overnight Sunday.

Vermont State Police say just before 12:30 a.m., they stopped the car near marker 77, near Bolton.

The driver, Denise Lear, 60, of Revere, was charged with driving under the influence and gross negligent operation.

Lear is expected in court Monday.

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Vermont

Women’s Lacrosse Bested in Burlington by Vermont – University at Albany Great Danes

Published

12 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Women’s Lacrosse Bested in Burlington by Vermont – University at Albany Great Danes

Score: UAlbany 4, Vermont 14

Location: Virtue Field | Burlington, Vt.

Records: UAlbany (10-5, 5-1 America East) | Vermont (8-6, 4-1 America East)

Short Story: UAlbany women’s lacrosse fell to the Vermont Catamounts on Saturday afternoon.

Key Stats

Grace Cincebox recorded a total of 14 saves with 13 goals allowed for a .565 save percentage.

Ravan Marsell led the Great Danes with two points on one goal and one assist.

Four different UAlbany players scored in the contest.

Reggie Williams was the team’s leader with three ground balls.

Delilah Mile caused a team high three turnovers.

How It Happened

The Catamounts came out of the gates hard and heavy, scoring all three goals between both sides in the first quarter.

Vermont would take an 8-0 lead in the second quarter before Amanda Williamson found the back of the net on a women-down goal to put the Great Danes on the board and make it 8-1.

The Great Danes would allow one more goal in the first half to trail 9-1 after 30-minutes of play.

Grace Cincebox would enter the half with 10 saves.

Riley Forthofer started the Great Danes off in the second half to make it a 9-2 game, before Vermont put up three more goals to take a 12-2 lead entering the final quarter of play.

Mya Carroll and Ravan Marsell both scored on back-to-back free-position goals to make it a 12-4 game.

The Catamounts finished the game with two more goals to take the win 14-4.

Up Next
The Great Danes will next have a bye week and wait to see the outcome of next week’s Vermont vs UMass Lowell game to see who will host the America East Tournament.

Social Central: Stay up to date with UAlbany women’s lacrosse by following the team on Instagram (@UAlbanyWLax), Facebook (UAlbany Women’s Lacrosse), and X (@UAlbanyWLax) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.

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Vermont

Vermont lands two cities in America’s top 15 happiest list

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Vermont lands two cities in America’s top 15 happiest list

Is creativity the missing key to better health?

Research suggests creative activities like art, music and crafts may benefit mental health as much as other key health habits.

Here’s another reason Vermont is the best New England state: It’s home to one of the top 5 happiest cities in the United States.

Plus, it has another within the top 15.

Massachusetts, on the other hand, doesn’t even break the top 50. Nor, does Connecticut or Rhode Island.

The personal finance website analyzed 182 of the largest cities in the country, and ranked Boston 63rd overall. Although the city is home to some of the nation’s top universities, high-ranking hospitals, and well-regarded companies, it didn’t break the top 50.

To get the rankings, WalletHub compared the cities using 29 metrics, including life-satisfaction index, depression rate, poverty rate, job security, and acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, and cities were assigned an overall happiness score.

Here’s a look at how the cities ranked.

South Burlington is No. 4 happiest city, Burlington is No. 11

South Burlington came on top for Vermont in WalletHub’s list of the happiest cities in the United States, ranking at No. 4. In scored very high for emotional and physical well-being coming in at the No. 4 spot, which made up for coming in No. 48 for community and environment. It was No. 9 for income and employment ranking. That gave it a total happiness of score of 70.15

Burlington wasn’t far behind at all, taking the No. 11 spot on the list and a happiness score of 67.54. It’s highest score was for income and employment ranking where it came second. It ranked No. 13 for community and environment and No. 21 for emotional and physical well-being.