Burke Recycling Center
Summary of Activities 
Hazardous Household Waste Recycling Symbols
2008 Summary of Activities
The Recycle Center has taken in at least 126.76 tons of recyclables. That does not include all the newspaper, cardboard, books, metal, electronics, packing peanuts, etc., which go out with residents who are moving, doing some gardening, farming or some project they are working on. This figure does not include all the free items, which are always going out to be reused rather than going to the landfill.
For every ton the town takes to the landfill it costs the town $190. For every ton taken to the recycling center, the cost to the town is 90.50. At least 126 Tons were saved from going to the landfill at a savings of $11,471 to the town. The recycle center brought in $12,600 in revenues this year. Every time residents recycle, reuse or compost, money is saved. As you can see recycling just makes financial sense. Please remember that burning trash is not only harmful and illegal but it is getting more expensive. The state and Municipalities now have the power to issue tickets and fine violators up to $500 for illegal trash burning. This includes burning trash outdoors in piles or burn barrels, or in woodstoves or enclosed incinerators.
We thought everyone would like to know the figures for solid waste for Burke the past five years.
| Tonage | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Rubbish | 362.36 | 375.66 | 390.94 | 374.70 | 389.42 |
| Bulky Days | 42.89 | 34.04 | 26.54 | 25.44 | 28.5 |
If everyone in the town just did composting and recycling the garbage tonnage would start to go down even with population increase. We have several new composters available for sale for $40.00 each
Returnable deposit bottles and cans donated at the recycling center brought in about $1,500 for the different organizations this year. This money helped the East Burke Church buy a new refrigerator, donated money to the food shelf, the Sunday School and Church Youth Group, lt also helped the Pilgrim Manor with everyday functions, the West Burke Church with the Sunday School program and the Boy Scouts to go on a field trip. We continue to collect box tops and soup labels for the different school programs.
Thank you to the people of Burke for their support of the recycling center. If anyone needs help with collecting items for projects please feel free to ask. We also continue to collect packing peanuts, used oil, batteries, cell phones, and florescent bulbs.
Recycling-Hours:
Wednesday 3 P.M. - 6 P.M.
Thursday 4 P.M. - 6 P.M
Saturday 8 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Source: 2008 Annual Report, Town of Burke, Vermont