A few tidbits about Frederick County’s recycling programs

Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007

A few tidbits about Frederick County’s recycling programs

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After reading The Gazette article titled ‘‘Toward a Greener Government” (July 19) there are a few points that need clarification so as not to send an inaccurate message to the residents of Frederick County.It was stated that the Frederick County Department of Solid Waste Management’s recycling program diverted 10,000 tons of trash from the landfill. The stated 10,000 tons of diverted recyclables represent only the recyclables collected through the county’s curbside recycling program, but does not recognize the tons diverted through our other recycling programs.

In addition to the curbside recycling program, there are a number of other recycling and waste reduction programs conducted by the Department of Solid Waste Management. One prime example would be the network of satellite drop-off recycling centers located throughout the county. These centers alone divert almost 5,000 additional tons of recyclables on an annually basis. Other Department of Solid Waste Management sponsored recycling programs include a yard trimmings recycling program, a white goods (appliances) recycling program, an electronics recycling program, a recycling program for county offices as well as a host of other recycling programs. All of these programs together divert far more than 10,000 tons of recyclables annually.

The article also stated that there are no recycling programs in the country making money, which is not the case. There are many examples of profitable recycling programs throughout the country. The private ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal industry is a good example of recycling activities that are generally profitable. However, in respect to curbside recycling collection of household items there are no examples of this being done profitably when you compare the cost of collections versus the re-sale value of the recycling commodities. Despite this, a profit⁄loss statement is not the only gauge to measure the value or benefit of these types of recycling programs.

For more information on Frederick County’s recycling programs, please visit our Web site at www.co.frederick.md. us⁄recycling or call us at 301-600-2960.

Phil Harris

The writer is superintendent of the Frederick County Department of Solid Waste Management.