Press Releases
Montgomery County Celebrates America Recycles Day Highlighting Programs to ‘Aim for Zero Waste
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Montgomery County celebrated America Recycles Day, which is recognized each Nov. 15, with figures that show County recycling programs are working to reduce waste and recycle more. The County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently began accepting additional items for recycling including more electronic items, mattress and box springs and operational medical equipment.
The new reuse and recycling programs provide an opportunity for community members to responsibly dispose of material, greatly reduce waste and recycle more.
The expanded recycling efforts resulted in the following thus far in 2023:
- Mattresses and box springs: 211 tons collected since the program began in May.
- Electronics: 907 tons collected.
- Medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, etc. . . . ): 17 tons collected since the program kicked off in April.
The items can be brought to the Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center, which is located at 16101 Frederick Rd. in Derwood.
DEP is partnering with the State to collect durable medical equipment in good working order for reuse. The equipment is cleaned, refurbished and then provided and reused by individuals who need them most.
“America Recycles Day is an excellent opportunity for our community to come together and reinforce our shared commitment to sustainability as we look to our goals for aiming for zero waste,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I applaud our team at the County’s Department of Environmental Protection for expanding recycling efforts and discovering new ways to recycle more and further reduce waste.”
For the last three years, recycling per person has increased in the County. This includes the recycling of glass, paper, plastic, tires, electronics and various construction and demolition materials. At the same time, the amount of waste created has steadily declined while the County population has grown.
“The County is working hard to continue informing and educating our community about waste reduction, reuse and recycling. These efforts are paying off,” said County Department of Environmental Protection Director Jon Monger. “Our collections teams and inspectors are also hard at work collecting and transporting recyclable materials across the County every day. Our recycling operation is substantial and something for us to all be proud of—and it is growing as more people are embracing recycling as part of their daily lives.”
As part of the America Recycles Day activities, DEP is hosting events all week to focus on ways to reduce waste, reuse items and recycle more throughout the County. Events are taking place in Darnestown, Rockville, Wheaton, at the Food and Drug Administration in White Oak and at Lakeview Apartments in Bethesda. DEP also is participating in community events in North Hills in Silver Spring and with the Capitol View Park Citizens Association in Kensington.
For more information on Montgomery County's recycling initiatives, visit DEP’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Right website.
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Media Contact: Cindy Peña, 202-875-1563
Media Contact: Cindy Peña
Categories: Environment