Vermont pallet and wood waste rules
In Vermont, no one may knowingly dispose of wood waste in solid waste or landfills after July 1, 2016 (10 V.S.A. § 6621a(a)(10)). The statute defines wood waste to include untreated wood, so clean, unpainted pallets fall inside the plain wording; treated or painted wood is outside that definition.
Landfill ban In force
Wood waste landfill ban. 10 V.S.A. § 6621a(a)(10)
- Leaf and yard residuals and wood waste may not knowingly be disposed of in solid waste or in landfills after July 1, 2016. 10 V.S.A. § 6621a(a)(10) (source)
- 'Wood waste' means trees, untreated wood, and other natural woody debris, including stumps, brush and limbs, root mats and logs. 10 V.S.A. § 6602(33) (source)
- Landfills may still designate separate areas for storing or processing banned materials, such as a wood pile for chipping. 10 V.S.A. § 6621a(b) (source)
- Paint, paint thinner, stains and varnishes are a separate disposal ban in the same section, which matters for painted pallets and the leftover finish from refinishing projects. 10 V.S.A. § 6621a(a)(5) (source)
Marked and pooled pallets Not yet verified
We haven't checked Vermont's marked and pooled pallets rules against the law yet, so we say nothing about them. Ask Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
Open burning Not yet verified
We haven't checked Vermont's open burning rules against the law yet, so we say nothing about them. Ask Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
C&D recycling Not yet verified
We haven't checked Vermont's c&d recycling rules against the law yet, so we say nothing about them. Ask Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
Who to ask
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation for state rules. Cities and counties can add their own disposal rules; check your hauler contract and local ordinance too.
Sources
- 10 V.S.A. § 6621a Landfill disposal requirements Vermont General Assembly. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- 10 V.S.A. § 6602 Definitions Vermont General Assembly. Accessed October 27, 2026.