Think back to the number of cell phones you’ve gone through over the last 10 years or so. That’s just a tiny fraction of the electronic waste Vermonters throw out each year. The state has just concluded its first year of an electronics recycling program, and diverted 4.8 million pounds of electronic waste from landfills into a recycling program.

In Jericho, town officials are deciding whether to move to a consolidated waste and recycling collection system.

Governor Peter Shumlin signed a bill into law Thursday morning that creates mandatory recycling and composting requirements to be phased in over the next few years. Waster haulers will eventually be required to collect leaf and yard, as well as food waste.

Brattleboro is getting ready for a unique recycling program. The town is looking for 150 households to take part in a pilot curbside compost pickup program.

The Vermont House has given its strong support to a bill that's designed to increase the recycling of solid and organic materials. Supporters say the measure is needed because Vermont is running out of landfill space.

A year-old Brattleboro company is growing quickly by responding to the habits of an on-the-go culture. The company, Recycle Away, designs recycling systems and bins for the many beverage containers people consume away from home.

We tackle the question of what role manufacturers, consumers and government should play in reducing the amount of trash we create when we throw out packaging or old products. Also, a proposed Rail Spur in Middlebury would accommodate the OMYA Corporation's freight needs. And, celebrating the election of Madeleine Kunin 25 years ago.

While world leaders in Copenhagen have been grappling with global issues of sustainability - a high school students in Rutland have been doing their part to make this holiday season more "green."

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with John Flowers of the Addison Independent about the issue of towns and waste haulers setting rates.