Beyond the Bin: Chittenden Solid Waste District Grapples with Compost Confusion, Greenwashing, and Pet Waste Pitfalls

According to CSWD staff, a “large quantity” of dog waste bags end up in compost bins—most of which are not certified compostable. Even when they are, officials said, “we don’t want them.”

Certified or Just Green? The Compostable Bag Conundrum

At the July 30 meeting of the Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD), board members and staff dug deep into one of the district’s most persistent challenges: contamination in the compost stream—much of it due to bags labeled “compostable” that, in practice, are anything but.

According to district officials, residents frequently use kitchen liner bags that appear compostable but lack the third-party certification necessary to meet the strict requirements of CSWD’s composting facility. These uncertified bags, often purchased independently and not supplied by haulers, contribute to contamination that ultimately undermines composting efforts.

“Most of the haulers do supply liner bags for their customers,” one CSWD representative explained during the meeting, “but the challenge is when folks have indoor kitchen containers and use their own liners—that’s where we’re seeing more problems.”

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Why the District Stopped Selling Compostable Bags

According to officials at the meeting, the district once experimented with selling compostable products directly to residents but has since moved away from retail operations. The absence of a district-run retail option means residents must seek certified bags from outside vendors—often without clear guidance on what is acceptable.

Some municipalities across the country have implemented retail programs at drop-off centers to distribute approved products. However, as one board member noted, “we’ve moved generally, district-wide, away from selling things,” citing logistical and staffing constraints.

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Greenwashing, Counterfeits, and Confusion

One of the most concerning revelations from the meeting was the prevalence of misleading or deceptive packaging. According to CSWD staff, some products mimic the appearance of certified compostable bags—complete with green coloring and eco-friendly language—without meeting certification standards.

“Fortunately, we haven’t seen counterfeit BPI [Biodegradable Products Institute] seals,” an official said. “But we do see a lot of greenwashing. Some bags say ‘compostable’ but have no certification to back that up.”

The BPI seal is the most widely accepted certification in the U.S. composting industry. Products that carry this certification must meet strict standards for compostability in industrial settings. However, in Vermont, the lack of statewide regulations requiring such certification makes enforcement difficult.

Several jurisdictions across the country have enacted laws requiring that any green film bag must be certified compostable—a model that CSWD is exploring. “It’s trickier here in Vermont,” one speaker noted, “because many composting facilities take no liner bags at all.”

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Pet Waste Bags: A Hidden Threat in the Compost Stream

While misleading kitchen bags were the main focus, another surprise culprit emerged in the contamination stream: pet waste bags.

According to CSWD staff, a “large quantity” of dog waste bags end up in compost bins—most of which are not certified compostable. Even when they are, officials said, “we don’t want them.” The combination of organic waste and confusion around labeling creates a recurring problem at the compost facility.

This issue, officials noted, is compounded by good intentions. “All well-meaning people,” one staffer said, “just don’t always know what’s acceptable. That’s on us to improve our messaging.”

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The Educational Response: Stickers, Social Media, and Clearer Messaging

In response to these challenges, CSWD is ramping up its education campaign. According to staff reports during the meeting, the district is rolling out updated informational materials, including stickers for collection bins, printed handouts, and social media campaigns aimed at clarifying what’s truly compostable.

Staff emphasized that their messaging focuses on two key elements: the presence of the word “compostable” on the product, and evidence of third-party certification (preferably BPI). Anything less is not acceptable.

The district is also working to update its website with specific product recommendations and clearer visual guides to help residents identify compliant bags.

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A Legislative Fix? Compost Policy May Be Headed to the Statehouse

While education remains the district’s frontline strategy, CSWD is also beginning to explore whether legislation might offer a longer-term solution. Some officials floated the idea of requiring all compostable bags sold in Vermont to carry a certification, such as BPI—a move that could help eliminate deceptive products from the market.

Such a policy would mirror efforts in California, Minnesota, and Washington, where lawmakers have passed regulations restricting what can be labeled compostable. “It’s something we’re exploring,” CSWD staff noted, while acknowledging that enforcement would require statewide coordination.

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Bigger Picture: Reducing Organics in the Landfill

Underlying all these efforts is a broader goal: keeping organic material out of the landfill. According to CSWD board members, contaminated compost not only leads to higher processing costs but also threatens the integrity of finished compost products used on farms and gardens.

“The board is well aware of the challenge,” one member said. “We need to reduce the volume of organics going into the landfill—and turn this into a better product than something that’s going to sit in the ground for centuries.”

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Conclusion: A Complex Problem, But a Solvable One

The July 30 meeting revealed that the compost bag confusion isn’t just about plastic—it’s about infrastructure, consumer behavior, and a regulatory landscape that hasn’t caught up to the market. CSWD’s approach—combining public education, interdepartmental coordination, and potential policy exploration—marks a serious step toward reducing contamination and improving Vermont’s composting system.

But success will depend on one key factor: clarity. In a marketplace crowded with misleading labels, the district’s challenge now is to make sure every resident knows exactly what can—and can’t—go in the compost bin.

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This story is based on the official minutes and public discussion at the Chittenden Solid Waste District’s July 30, 2025 board meeting, as well as follow-up analysis.