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More Can Be Recycled Than Ever Before: Bulky Plastics
The Frederick County Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management (DUSWM) announced that its recycling program will now accept even more materials, making it one of the most comprehensive recycling programs in the region.  The expanded program will now take more rigid plastic items, including over-size materials that have previously been placed in the waste stream.  While it is not feasible to provide curbside collection of bulky plastic items, materials that do not fit in a recycling cart can be brought to the Citizen’s Recycling Center, located at 9031 Reichs Ford Road in Frederick, Monday through Saturday, 7am until 4:30 pm.

Starting immediately, residents can recycle bulky, rigid plastic items, such as: milk/soda crates, plastic shelving, empty plastic trash cans,  lawn furniture, coolers, plastic flowerpots, buckets, storage totes, plastic toys and play equipment such as swimming pools and outdoor play sets.  All containers must be empty prior to deposit.  These items should be brought to the Recycling Center on Reichs Ford Road and placed in the collection container specially designated for large plastic recyclables.  Residents with questions about what is recyclable can call the Office of Recycling at 301-600-2960 or send email to recycle@fredco-md.net .

As part of the expanded program, Frederick County’s residents can now recycle most plastic items—with the major exceptions being: “clamshell” containers (hinged, clear, thin plastic), PVC pipe, vinyl siding, polystyrene/Styrofoam™, soft plastics (such as garden hoses) and containers that held automotive fluids or hazardous materials.  Residents are asked to keep these and other unacceptable items out of the recycling collection system.  Trash contamination reduces the value of recyclable materials and decreases the efficiency and economy of the county’s program.

NEW Source Reduction Award
A new program has been developed in order to acknowledge the efforts and innovative steps that many local businesses are enacting to create less waste: the annual Frederick County Source Reduction Award.

The Department of Solid Waste Management, in conjunction with the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, The City of Frederick Economic Development and the Downtown Frederick Partnership will select businesses and organizations located throughout the County that have implemented or expanded innovative and successful waste reduction programs. “While most of the recent attention has been on recycling we need to focus just as much on reducing the amount of waste we generate in the first place. Source reduction is actually the first step in a comprehensive, integrated waste management program,” said Michael Marschner, Director of the Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management. “This awards program is part of our ongoing effort to promote sustainable solid waste management practices in Frederick County” he continued.

Any Frederick County business can apply to receive the award; applications are available online or can be mailed to those interested in participating. The applications can be downloaded from the Frederick County Department of Solid Waste website at www.co.frederick.md.us/recycle, or obtained by calling Dave Helmecki 301-600-7404. Completed award applications may be faxed to 301-600-3044, e-mailed to DHelmecki@fredco-md.net or mailed to Fredrick County Department of Solid Waste Management, 9031 Reichs Ford Road, Frederick, MD 21704. Applications must be received by Tuesday, October 20, 2009 to be considered.

For more information on the recycling program, including lists of acceptable and unacceptable items, please visit www.co.frederick.md.us/recycle or call 301-600-2960.