Richmond Transfer Facts

We are excited to begin service to Richmond, Vermont in January 2022.

Below you'll find frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Casella's operation of the Richmond, VT Solid Waste Transfer Station. We will update the FAQs as new questions come in.

When Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) closed the Reuse Zone in 2019 (an area where people may drop off items that might still be usable to be picked up for free by other customers) the Selectboard heard from many residents who wanted the Reuse Zone reopened. The Selectboard asked to have the Reuse Zone re-opened but CSWD had safety concerns that could not be overcome with the available space and staffing.
When the current five-year lease with CSWD expired at the end of 2020 the Selectboard decided to sign a one-year lease with CSWD in order to explore other options for operators for the solid waste transfer facility.
In 2021 the Selectboard put out a Request for Proposal to solicit proposals to operate the solid waste transfer station. CSWD and Casella both submitted proposals.
- Casella’s proposal included the Reuse Zone while CSWD’s did not.
- Casella’s prices that will be charged to customers were equal to or slightly lower than CSWD’s prices.
- Casella will accept all items that CSWD currently accepts at the site, and will also accept bulky waste such as mattresses, couches, and appliances.
Documents related to the proposals may be viewed with the following links:

Yes. Casella will operate a reuse zone for the duration of their five-year lease.

Yes. Casella will accept all of the same materials that CSWD currently accepts at the Richmond solid waste transfer station. Casella will also accept bulky waste such as mattresses, couches, and appliances. These items are not currently accepted by CSWD at this site.

Casella rates for 2022 and 2023 will be equal to or slightly less than the 2021 CSWD rates.
After the 2023-year Casella will conduct market assessments and present the findings to the Town of Richmond Selectboard and work together with the Town on changes to the pricing system if necessary.
For a complete list of rates please refer to the CSWD proposal and the Casella proposal.

The site will be open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm.
This schedule may vary due to holidays. Any changes to the hours for reasons other than holidays must be approved by the Richmond Town Manager.

Casella intends to maintain the no trailer rule until they get a feel for the traffic pattern and volume through the site.

CSWD will operation the site at full capacity until the end of December 2021.
January 2022 will be a month of transition. CSWD will be on site removing their equipment that is not being sold to Casella. Casella will be on site re-setting the site in preparations to fully re-open.
Casella will offer drop off for household garbage, compost, and recycling during the month of January 2022. The site will be open to the public in January on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm.
Casella will install and bring online all previous and new services as the materials and machines arrive and can be installed in the early part of 2022.

The CSWD Rover only visits solid waste transfer stations which are operated by CSWD. Therefor the Rover will not visit Richmond once the site is operated by Casella.
However, the Town of Richmond will still be part of the CSWD Solid Waste District and residents may use the Rover when it is at any CSWD transfer station. Also, Richmond residents may use the CSWD Environmental Depot which is open year-round in South Burlington.

No. There will not be a financial cost to the Town. The Town does not currently allocate funding to CSWD in the budget. CSWD was paying $1.00 per year to lease the site. Casella will pay the same $1.00 per year.

All the large and small equipment at the DOC, including containers and the booth, is the property of CSWD. CSWD will be removing some items currently at the site to use at other locations. CSWD has given a list of items they are willing to leave at the site to Casella. CSWD will expect payment for any items that they leave at the site.
Casella is evaluating the items on the list provided by CSWD to determine which items they would like to purchase.
Once Casella and CSWD have agreed on which items Casella would like to purchase the list of items will be discussed and voted on for approval by the Richmond Selectboard.
The cost of the items will be made public. The Town will act as a pass through for this transaction by paying CSWD for the items and then charging Casella the same amount for the items. The transaction will be structured this way because CSWD currently has a lease with the Town, not with Casella.

Occasionally there have been concerns about traffic backing up onto Rt. 117. Casella is currently evaluating the flow of traffic at the site in an effort to move vehicles through as quickly as possible to reduce queuing. An updated site plan will be provided to the town and residents once Casella’s team creates the finalized version.