Serbian leaders in environmental and social issues will visit Vermont this month to learn from the state’s successes in managing and finding value in the garbage stream.

The Institute for Sustainable Communities, an international development nonprofit headquartered in Montpelier, VT, is bringing members of the Serbian nonprofit coalition Green Initiative to tour the region as part of a two-week networking and training program.

Solid waste is a significant problem in Serbia. Half of the population does not have access to organized solid waste management, and most waste ends up in one of the county’s estimated 4500 illegal dumps, which are often located next to rivers or parks.

During their time in Vermont, the Serbian coalition will meet with the leadership of local nonprofit organizations, tour forward-thinking recycling and solid waste facilities, and learn from the state’s top thought leaders on how to manage solid waste by redirecting valuable resources and reducing what ends up in the landfill.

On the schedule is a visit with Charity Carbine-March of Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), a tour of Highfields Center for Composting with director Tom Gilbert and a trip to ReSOURCE led by Executive Director Tom Longstreth.

The goal of the Serbians’ visit is to share the practical knowledge and neighborly attitude Vermont has practiced in creatively dealing with its own waste management.

For more information contact:
Simeon Chapin | Institute for Sustainable Communities
schapin@iscvt.org, (802) 225-2944