Recycling Expansion Announced

To encourage recycling in Frederick County, the Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) will expand its recycling collection program to allow multi-family properties and some small businesses to opt into the service. The DSWM implemented single-stream recycling collection in 2009 as a program for single-family households. Now, multi-family properties with nine (9) or fewer units as well as specific categories of small businesses located in residential neighborhoods have the opportunity to opt-in to this program. Multi-family properties with 10 or more units already are required by State law to provide recycling to their tenants.

County Executive Jan Gardner noted that, “Frederick County has long demonstrated a commitment to recycling. Residential collection is currently available to more than 78,000 households. We are pleased to expand upon that success and offer this service to many of the fine small businesses in our community who also wish to reduce their impact on the local waste stream.”

All eligible property owners can expect to receive a letter from the County informing them of the details of the DSWM’s recycling collection program. If eligible properties wish to participate, they will need to authorize an adjustment to their annual System Benefit Charge, effectively enrolling the property in the County’s recycling collection program. In addition to small multi-family properties, the expansion offers the opportunity of biweekly recycling collection to designated small businesses such as bed-and-breakfasts, salons, and certain classifications of small offices.

Those interested in reviewing complete details regarding the program expansion, including definitions of qualified properties and instructions for property owners who wish to participate, should visit the DSWM website at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/multifamily or submit inquiries by email to recycle@frederickcountymd.gov.