Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) director Jon Monger released the County’s 2022/2023 Recycling Summary, which highlights the county’s recycling efforts and new materials eligible for recycling.
“Montgomery County is dedicated to setting an example for the state and the nation in waste and recycling management,” said county executive Elrich. “From accepting durable medical equipment and paint for reuse to recycling mattresses, books and textiles, we are consistently looking for innovative ways to recycle more and waste less. While there is still more we can do to reduce waste and increase recycling, we are making progress towards our goal of achieving zero waste.”
DEP includes all materials being reused and recycled by the county in its recycling rate calculation. These materials include glass, plastics, paper, tires, electronics, mixed metals, scrap automobiles, construction and demolition debris, asphalt, concrete, motor and other types of oil and grease, liquid animal protein, animal carcasses, paints, textiles, propane tanks, manure, food waste for animal feed, industrial fluids, mercury and hazardous household waste.
Since 2020, the county has increased recycling of glass, paper, plastic, tires, electronics and various construction and demolition materials.
Between 2020 and 2022:
- Plastic recycling increased by 110 percent
- Construction and demolition materials recycling increased by 58 percent
- Tire recycling increased by 32 percent
- Mixed paper recycling increased by 15 percent
- Electronics recycling increased by 7 percent
- Glass recycling increased by 3 percent