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Student Trash
by NewsChannel 5

It's a problem every spring in the Champlain Valley: college students who are leaving behind tons of trash, when they move out for the summer. But now Burlington's trying a New way to clean up this mess. At this hour volunteers from Burlington's neighborhood action project are canvassing this part of town. They're going door to door, Spreading the word about a new recycling program. They're handing out these specially-marked plastic bags with labels for things like clothing and household items.

It's moving day for Zack brown and Tim Olsen. They just graduated from UVM, and want to get rid of extra stuff.

" its kind of a nightmare dealing with all the stuff I've accumulated."

They put two couches on the sidewalk, hoping to give them away.

" we leave it out here and hope someone grabs it. If not we've got to figure something to do with it i guess."

Zack and Tim say they won't leave their furniture out here for more than a day. But that's not the case for everyone.

"this is what we're up against."

Ray O'Connor is a code enforcement officer with the city of Burlington. He says mattresses on the sidewalk and overflowing dumpsters represent more than just a bunch of junk.

" we call it blight. And its one of those issues that tends to eat away at the fabric of the neighborhood."

For the first time, O'Connor is issuing warnings and fines to landlords. He says it's already making a difference, as people to think twice about what they leave behind on moving day. The idea is to cut down the amount of stuff that winds up on sidewalks.

In fact, City officials say this year they've seen fewer problems than normal. They credit that directly to increased enforcement and the threat of a minimum 50 dollar fine.

Who's getting these tickets? Landlords or tenants? Mostly landlords because they're ultimately responsible. But there are a few cases where tenants can also face fines.

UVM and Burlington city hall put together a test project, for students to donate unwanted items to recycling programs. In Burlington's old north end students sorted their things for pick up. At recycle north, the parking lot is jammed with old furniture and appliances. Old clothes and shoes left behind will be donated to the needy. Canned food will go to the food shelf.

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