Windham Solid Waste District earns state engineering award for Brattleboro composting upgrade

The Windham Solid Waste Management District received a Merit Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Vermont for its composting facility expansion. The project team included the district, Agrilab Technologies, and Sanborn Head & Associates. Michelle Cherrier, chair of the WSWMD Board of Supervisors, accepted the honor on June 4, 2026, at the Champlain College Conference and Event Center in Burlington.

The expanded facility is located at 327 Old Ferry Road in Brattleboro. It utilizes Compost Aeration and Heat Recovery technology from Agrilab Technologies. This system uses forced aeration and heat recovery to speed up the composting process. The technology also improves the quality of the finished product and provides controls for odor and runoff.

The new structure is designed to handle heavy equipment traffic and the weight of compost piles. It features integrated aeration pipes that support the processing system. The project increased the district's capacity to process organic materials from residential, commercial, and institutional sources across the Windham region. This expansion reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills.

The project also solved a complex stormwater management issue. Engineers consolidated three separate operational stormwater permits into a single system. They built a new stormwater infiltration basin that meets current Vermont design and treatment standards. This consolidation separates clean stormwater from process runoff across the expanded site.

Brian Jerose, president and co-founder of Agrilab Technologies, noted that the project addresses scale, logistics, and odor. He stated that the site serves as a model for decentralized public-private composting. Tim Petit, senior project manager at Sanborn Head, said the recognition reflects the partnership among the three organizations. He highlighted the contribution of permitting, stormwater, and civil engineering expertise to the project.

The facility produces a product called Brattlegrow Compost, which is sold to garden centers and landscape contractors. The district also donates compost to local schools for use in gardens and landscaping. Some schools include food scrap recycling in their curriculum and take students on tours of the facility.

Several hauling companies have launched new organic collection programs, generating revenue from container rentals and collection services. The project was completed without incurring long-term debt for the district. The ACEC/VT Engineering Excellence Awards program recognizes engineering achievements that demonstrate innovation and benefit communities across Vermont.