A hazardous waste tax is assessed on generators when the waste is shipped, or when facilities recycle, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste. The tax is based on the quantity of of the hazardous waste and its ultimate destination (e.g., whether it is destined for recycling, treatment, or land-disposal.)
Vermont has by far the highest tax rates on hazardous waste. As of 1995, waste generators pay a $.44/gal liquid or $112/ton solid waste disposal fee for land disposal, a $.33/gal liquid or $84/ton solid waste disposal fee for long term storage, a $.22/gal liquid or $56/ton solid waste disposal fee on waste blended, treated, or chemically treated, and a$.11/gal liquid or $28/ton fee solid waste disposal fee on reclaimed or recycled waste.
Some hazardous waste is exempt from the tax, including generators who produce less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month per site, or 2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous waste per month per site during a calendar quarter. The hazardous waste tax was most recently changed in 1997, when the tax rates were raised. Revenues collected from the hazardous waste tax have ranged from from$348,000 in 1995 to $716,000 in 1997. Most revenues collected from the hazardous waste tax are deposited in an environmental contingency fund used to investigate and mitigate the effects of hazardous waste released into the environment. Additional tax revenues from the tax are forwarded to a hazardous waste management assistance account to improve hazardous waste management throughout Vermont.
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