The Environmental Assistance Office is a partnership of staff focused primarily on non-regulatory programs. The Office provides guidance to permit applicants, offers environmental compliance assistance to Vermont businesses and municipalities, provides recognition programs for green businesses in Vermont, and provides assistance to municipal household hazardous waste programs. Staff assists businesses, communities, state agencies, and others to identify effective and economical ways to reduce waste at the source in order to avoid waste treatment and disposal costs and to safeguard human health and the environment. Regional staff provide permit assistance with DEC programs and others.