With the holiday season upon us, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is urging residents to reduce, reuse and recycle to help minimize waste during this time of year. The amount of waste typically increases by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year's, with items like wrapping paper, decorations and food waste contributing significantly to the trash stream.  

"During the holidays, it’s important to be mindful of the environmental impact of our celebrations," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. "By focusing on reducing waste, reusing items and recycling properly, we can enjoy the season while also protecting our environment. I hope all County residents and businesses consider a New Year’s resolution of small changes they can make in their daily lives to be more sustainable in 2025.” 

There are many easy and creative ways to reduce waste during the holidays, from reusing wrapping materials to shopping locally for gifts. DEP encourages all residents to incorporate these practices not just during the holiday season, but year-round. 

DEP offers the following tips on how to reduce waste and recycle effectively this holiday season:

• Unwanted Mail: Reduce junk mail by removing your name from mailing lists or registering on a “Do Not Mail” service. 
• Shopping and Gifting: Shop locally for gifts made from recycled materials or repurpose items into homemade gifts. Always bring reusable shopping bags and avoid excessive packaging. Look for unique gifts made from recycled materials.   
• Gift Wrapping: Use repurposed or reusable wrapping materials such as outdated maps, fabric or gift bags. Reuse any bows or ribbons.   
• Entertaining: Plan meals carefully to reduce food waste, use durable dishes and utensils instead of disposable ones and recycle bottles, jars, cans and containers. 

DEP also collects live trees, which are then shredded and chipped into mulch. Trees can be placed out for yard trim recycling collection service on your regular recycling collection day. 

Residents can also bring their trees to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station and drop them off for recycling. The facility is located at 16105 Frederick Road in Derwood. 

“Properly disposing of Christmas trees is an easy but meaningful way for our community to support the County’s environmental efforts and start the new year with a focus on sustainability,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “By recycling live trees and wreaths, we can transform them into valuable products like mulch that benefit the environment. I encourage everyone to recycle their live trees and wreaths as a way to give back to the environment.” 

For residents of single-family homes and townhomes who receive Montgomery County-provided weekly curbside recycling collection service: 

• Live-cut Christmas trees are accepted for recycling as yard trim year-round. 
• Residents should place their trees or wreaths curbside by 7 a.m. on their regularly scheduled recycling day. 
• All trees, wreaths and other live branches must be free from lights, decorations, metal and plastic. 
• Wreaths, roping and other decorations made with live branches and needles also are accepted for recycling and must be separated from any wire and metal used to bind them. 
• Live trees with root balls, or that have their roots intact, cannot be collected as yard trim. 

Residents of apartments and condominiums should check with their property manager or representative for specific recycling instructions. 

Businesses should also check with their property manager or property owner for specific recycling instructions.   

For more information on reducing waste, reuse and recycling, visit the DEP’s website or check out their holiday tips.  

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