Townshend Transfer Station

The Townshend Transfer Station (formerly the “Town Dump”) provides residents with a safe, regulated location for household trash disposal and mandatory recycling. The former landfill closed many years ago; its site is now a solar field. All waste and recycling services now operate through the compactors and bins at the Town Garage.

The facility is open to Townshend residents only and operates in compliance with Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law (Act 148).

A permit is required for all use of the Transfer Station—including recycling.

• Permits are available free of charge from the Town Clerk.
• The permit must be displayed visibly each time you use the facility.
• Commercial use is not permitted.
• Non-residents are not allowed to use the facility.

Townshend uses Townshend-specific trash bags, which are the only bags accepted at the Transfer Station. 

Bags may be purchased at:

• Town Clerk’s Office
• Riverbend Market
• Harmonyville Store

Price: $4.00 each

If your trash is not in an official bag, it cannot be accepted and must be taken home. Bag policies are reviewed annually and may change.

State law prohibits placing compostable items, food scraps, and other organic material in regular household garbage.  Residents must dispose of these items separately. 

Compost Info (pdf)

Free compostable bags are provided at the Transfer Station—ask the attendant when you arrive. 

The Transfer Station does not accept:

• Hazardous waste
• Construction or demolition debris
• Treated wood
• Large appliances
• Tires
• Painted or solvent-based materials
• Medical waste
• Furniture or oversized items
• Commercial waste of any kind

Townshend is not zoned, but separate permitting is required for building, land use, and Act 250–related activities. Contact the Town Clerk before beginning construction to determine what permits are necessary.

The Transfer Station does not accept heavy debris, construction waste, or materials that cannot fit in an official bag. Residents may use regional facilities such as: 

• Windham Solid Waste District – Brattleboro (permit required)
• Casella Brattleboro Transfer Station

Recycling bins are available at the same location and can be accessed only during posted Transfer Station hours.

State law prohibits placing the following in household trash:

• Paper
• Cardboard
• Plastic bottles (#1 & #2)
• Metal cans
• Glass bottles and jars

The attendant may check loads to ensure materials are clean and properly sorted. Dirty or contaminated recyclables  significantly increase the Town’s disposal costs and may be refused.

Burning leaves, brush, and untreated wood requires a permit unless the ground is snow-covered. Permits may be obtained from the Town Clerk. 

Burning anything else—including trash, treated wood, or furniture—will result in fines and may trigger emergency response charges. The resident is responsible for any damage or firefighting costs resulting from unpermitted or unsafe burning. 

• Only Townshend residents may use the facility.
• All users must follow attendant instructions.
• Illegal dumping is recorded by surveillance and strictly enforced.
• This page will be updated if bag pricing, hours, or state laws change.