Information on Flood and Storm Debris

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The Addison County Solid Waste Management District anticipates substantial amounts of construction, demolition, and natural woody debris from the recent hurricane and flooding event.  Here are some guidelines for managing storm debris in our area.

Before the Flood

Household Waste

Household garbage, including food waste, should be securely bagged and stored for proper disposal when conditions permit. Toilets and other plumbing fixtures should be used only if they drain properly.

Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous materials include solvents, paints, gasoline and similar fuels, electronics, pesticides, fertilizers, household chemicals, oil, lead-acid batteries, acids and bases (e.g., drain cleaners), mercury devices (fluorescent bulbs, thermostats), and explosive materials (e.g., ammunition). When a flood is forecast, it is best to remove these materials from homes or other structures to avoid contaminating the water or rendering the materials useless.

After the Flood

As a reminder, Vermont law bans a number of items from landfill disposal, and the bans apply to flood debris, also. Materials banned from the landfill are:

  • Batteries – rechargeables, lead-acid
  • Electronics – computers, monitors, TVs, printers, audio components, DVD players, video game consoles, phones…
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Liquid Waste
  • Regulated Medical Waste
  • Mercury-Added Products – fluorescent bulbs, thermostats, thermometers… Used oil
  • Paint – oil based paints, stains, thinners, strippers, varnishes…
  • Gas Cylinders – Propane, natural gas…
  • Tires White Goods – refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers…

Asbestos waste cannot be commingled with other wastes, cannot be collected at the curb, and cannot be brought to a transfer station or drop-off center. Disposal options are limited to direct hauling to an approved landfill, or management by a certified asbestos abatement contractor. Further information on asbestos removal may be obtained from the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Health Protection, 1-800-439-8550, http://www.healthvermont.gov/ . Further information on transportation and disposal of asbestos may be obtained from the Solid Waste Management Program, 802-241-3444.

Structures built before 1978 may be painted with Lead Based Paint (LBP). Federal Rules require that contractors disturbing LBP in homes, day care centers, and schools to be certified and follow specific work practices. LBP debris from certified contractors is to be “contained” at the jobsite before transporting. These rules do not apply to homeowners, or whole structure demolition. Debris coated with LBP is a normal solid waste and can be managed at any certified solid waste facility. Information on lead certification and lead management may be obtained from the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Health Protection, 1-800-439-8550, http://www.healthvermont.gov/ .

The ANR strongly encourages the segregation and proper management of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW); that is, common household products that contain hazardous constituents, such as garden chemicals, automotive and boating fluids, and many cleaning products. The Addison County Solid Waste Management District HazWaste Center collects household hazardous waste 6 days per week, year round, so disposing of these wastes with flood debris is unnecessary.

Scrap Metal of all types is recyclable, and metal salvage prices are at levels that foster segregation of almost any quantity. On the economic value alone, scrap metal from flood debris should not be disposed of.

Woody Debris will be a major component of the flood waste stream. This material will likely be contaminated with small quantities of non-wood or treated wood, and these contaminants must be carefully screened before the woody debris can be processed or beneficially used. The ANR encourages beneficial use of clean wood as mulch for landscaping or compost, or as biomass fuel, and discourages landfill disposal. Clean, untreated, unpainted wood may also be burned at locations approved by the Air Pollution Control Division, but the Agency believes that preferred management options exist.

Household Waste

Waste materials that quickly spoil should be separated from other waste or debris, contained in heavy-duty plastic bags and/or secure garbage cans, and placed in a designated area for separate collection. Containment prevents release of this waste to the environment and exposure to vectors (disease-carrying insects, rodents).

Food Wastes

Food may be unsafe because of damaged containers or because the refrigerator/freezer was without power.  Take these steps to dispose of food waste:

  • Do not keep food that may be spoiled or contaminated, including food from refrigerators/freezers (e.g., condiments, pickles, jelly, meat, milk, juices).
  • Dispose of damaged dried food packages.  
  • Do not keep spoiled or contaminated medicines. 
  • When in doubt, throw it out!

Appliances

Take the following steps to clean refrigerators and freezers:

  • Remove everything from the refrigerator or freezer. 
  • Use paper towels or rags to wipe up spills and leaks and dispose of them with the food waste. 
  • Wash out the refrigerator or freezer with a strong bleach solution. Use 1½ cups of bleach in 1 gallon of water. (Note: Never mix bleach and ammonia.  The fumes are toxic.) Use latex or rubber gloves if you have sensitive skin. 
  • Wash out the appliance with warm, soapy water.  To remove odors, wipe out the appliance with a mixture of water and baking soda, or place a box of baking soda inside. You also may want to air out appliances for a few days before restarting and using them.
  • Secure doors in an open position to provide air flow, and keep children away. 
  • Appliances that cannot be cleaned and repaired andother scrap metal materials should be recycled.

Household Hazardous Waste

If hazardous materials were not removed prior to flooding, an investigation should be conducted to locate any leaking or damaged containers. If materials within the property could be dangerous, the property owner or response personnel should cordon off the area until the site can be cleaned up.  Look for leaking or damaged containers of: 

  • Cleaning products (oven, drain and toilet cleaners)
  • Lawn and garden products (pesticides, fertilizers)
  • Automotive products (oil; antifreeze; batteries; transmission, brake and starter fluids)
  • Workshop/painting supplies (adhesives, glues, paint, stains, finishes, thinners, strippers, solvents)
  • Flammable products (propane tanks, kerosene, heating oil, diesel fuel, gas/oil mixture)
  • Other products (fluorescent lights, lead-acid batteries, mercury thermometers or thermostats)

If you have any materials of concern, take the following steps: 

  • Place in more secure containers, if possible. 
  • Absorb spilled materials with kitty litter and place in a plastic bag or durable container. 
  • Label the containers with the following information:  (a) contents, (b) owner’s name and (c) condition of the contents. 
  • Do not mix chemicals or products. (e.g., Do not mix latex paint with oil-based paint.) 
  • Usable materials that are properly labeled, placed in a secure location and separated by waste type can be evaluated later for proper reuse. 
  • Hazardous household waste materials can be taken to the District HazWaste Center.
  • Do not burn the waste or pour any waste down the sanitary sewer or into a septic tank. 

Because electronics often contain metals such as lead, cadmium and chromium that can contaminate water and soil, they must be disposed of properly.  Click here for more information on disposal of electronic waste in the District.