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 Memorial Day, May 27, 2013: No County-provided recycling or trash collections on May 27; all pickups this week slide by one day. Transfer Station closed May 27. Shred your confidential documents at our Community Paper Shredding event - June 8 (Rockville) |
Talking Trash |
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Tuesday, March 20, 2012May I recycle sticker backings?
Happy Spring! To help you with spring cleaning, here's a dip into our mailbag. Someone recently asked us: May I recycle sticker backings? We checked with our paper recycler, who said... yes! In fact, if you have stickers or labels which you are not able to use or reuse, we can accept those as well. And, of course, when a sticker or label is stuck to paper, cardboard or envelopes which you're recycling, you may leave it stuck right where it is -- you do not need to remove it. (However, you might like to remove labels with your name or address to help prevent identity theft.) Read more about our paper recycling program. -- posted by Susanne Thursday, March 31, 2011I wonder ______ about the Dept of Environmental Protection? - Earth MonthWhat are your questions? About what are you curious? April is “Earth Month” for us! For the past two years, I’ve sent out daily, practical, environmentally-related tips in April. This year, I want to take you behind the scenes into the work we do. Knowing your questions and interests will help us better tailor the stories we share. What will I do with your responses? On each Wednesday in April 2011, I’ll take you into one facet of our operations. Get each dispatch as it’s posted to our blog, tweeted to @GoGreenMC, and sent out via email to our “GoGreen Tips” email subscribers.
I look forward to your replies! -- posted by Susanne Wednesday, November 10, 2010Recycle your holiday lights!Updated December 2, 2011: Visit our newest webpage for our most current information on holiday light recycling. Updated November 19, 2010 A few years ago, a resident asked us Just wondering how i might recycle old christmas lights? (C9 size) I did some research, and advised reuse or disposal as trash. In 2010, we have a much better answer! We know of these local recycling opportunities for your working or broken Christmas and holiday lights.
If you know of other local drop-off locations for lights, please tell us about them! -- posted by Susanne Friday, February 19, 2010When your recyclables or trash are missed, please let us knowFrom our mailbag: Our trash day is Monday, and our trash and recycling have been sitting outside since early Monday morning just waiting for some to come pick it up... When is it being picked up?? No one has bothered to tell us anything. This is ridiculous. The recent record snowfall in Montgomery County presented significant challenges in providing refuse collection services. To protect the safety of the public and our workers, County-provided collection services were cancelled last Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Yard trim collection remained cancelled this week, but both recycling and refuse collection services were provided on a normal schedule. The writer did not provide us with an address, so we cannot determine if he/she lives in the County or in one of the municipalities, nor can we investigate this complaint. Please call us at 240-777-6410, and we will be happy to look into it. The residents of Montgomery County understood the extreme circumstances we faced. We have received numerous calls and emails thanking us for our outstanding work. In return, we would like to extend our thanks to you residents for your patience and understanding, and to the hundreds of our contractors’ employees who braved the freezing temperatures, driving and walking through miles of deep snow to collect our trash. And to our customers, please accept our sincere apology if your trash or recycling was missed. Thank you for your continued patience. If you have any questions, please call us at 240-777-6410. -- posted by Robin Ennis, Chief, Collections Section, Division of Solid Waste Services Tuesday, January 12, 2010Can we recycle salted nut canisters?
Can we recycle salted nut canisters (cylindrical paper with metal bottom and metal top rim)? Thanks for your question, D. Another resident asked us a very similar question a short while later. And, it's one we faced in my own household last month with a coffee can of similar construction -- we stood there in the kitchen, debating the pros and cons of the various disposal and recycling options... So, the topic is ripe for a blog entry! Our recycling program cannot accept containers made of more than one type of material; so the nut (and coffee and similar) canisters would be a "no" since the metal rim and foil paper would be a contaminant of the mixed paper recycling process. On the bright side, the plastic lid is accepted in our recycling program! So, the bottom line is this: if you don't have a reuse for it, please
-- posted by Susanne Update, 1/15/2010: This post generated several reader responses – thanks! You asked whether we still accept milk and juice cartons - which may have plastic spouts and lids - or juice and drink boxes. Yes, we do! Please continue to add these to your paper recycling. The beverage cartons and boxes are recycled using a process called hydropulping. This process is able to separate plastics, such as the plastic spout or lid, from the coated paper fibers. On the other hand, the paper-type canisters can have layers of wrapping and metal which is difficult for paper recyclers to remove. While these containers may look similar, the processes for handling them do vary. Therefore, the canisters are not recyclable in our program. Some of you suggested creative ways to make the most of your canisters:
Friday, December 11, 2009Is yard trim collection year-round?From our mailbag: Does the County pick up yard waste year round or does it stop during the winter? We still have branches and sticks that we would like to put out with our recycle but want to know if the County will pick it up.Thank you for your question, M. Yes, our curbside yard trim collection is a year-round service. Please set your your branches and sticks out at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day, bundled, bagged in paper yard trim bags, or put into a labeled, reusable container. If you need yard trim decals for labeling containers, you may order them online, or by contacting our Call Center at 240-777-6410. There is no charge for the decals. What happen to the branches we collect as yard trim? We grind them up into mulch, which we offer back to the public at our Mulch Preserves. --posted by Susanne Thursday, May 14, 2009We accept Household Hazardous Waste every dayYesterday, I had an email exchange with a County resident interested in participating in this Sunday's Household Hazardous Waste collection event in Silver Spring. He lives in Rockville, and wanted driving directions. I was happy to provide the directions. Given his Rockville location, I also gave him information about the Hazardous Waste drop-off point we have at the Solid Waste Transfer Station, which is available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The resident replied: I thought they only take hazmats on days they announce. Not anymore! Thanks for the opportunity to clarify this information. We are pleased to have a permanent Hazardous Waste facility at the Transfer Station, making drop-off convenient any day of the week. And, there's an added bonus to using the Transfer Station drop-off: if you have any paint needs, take a few minutes to "shop" in the "Paint Store" we have there. The selection changes all the time, but the "price" does not! Choose from primers, interior paint, exterior paint and related products in a range of colors and finishes, all available at no charge to you. -- posted by Susanne Monday, March 23, 2009Why are trash can lids replaced upside down?
One recent survey respondent wrote: Do not like that the can tops are "stuffed" inside -- but I guess that takes less time that putting them back on. Perhaps the crews should just leave the tops flat on the ground rather than stuffing them inside. After collection, crews are not supposed to jam lids down into your containers. They are, however, supposed to place the lids back upside down. Why upside down? When crews replace the lids upside down, this signals their supervisors that the containers have been emptied. This way, the supervisors don't need to stop at a container, lift the lid, and check inside, which would be very inefficient, given that daily routes cover several hundred addresses, and many more containers. Similarly, emptied wheeled paper carts are replaced with their handles facing the street, and recycling bins are replaced upside down after being serviced. And regarding that badly cracked recycling bin in the photo and what to do about it, that's the topic of my next post! -- posted by Susanne Thursday, February 19, 2009How do we dispose of spray paint - latex & oil based?From our mailbag: How do we dispose of spray paint - latex & oil based? Thanks for asking, B. We have information for oil-based paint and latex- or water-based paint on our website. But, that applies for products applied with brushes or rollers. For advice specific to spray paint cans, I put your question to our Hazardous Waste program manager. Here is what I learned:
In addition to this advice... if there's an appreciable amount of product left in the can, and you no longer have a use for it, consider offering the can to your neighbors through your local Freecycle Network group. -- posted by Susanne
Wednesday, January 14, 2009Are rectangular milk and juice cartons recyclable?
Update, September 28, 2009: Our recycling program has expanded, and we now accept paper milk and juice cartons as recyclable mixed paper. From our mailbag: Are the 1/2 gallon rectangular shaped cartons that milk and orange juice come in recyclable? I just want to do the correct thing. Thanks for your question, R.! Sorry, our recycling program does not accept milk and juice cartons because they are coated with a thin plastic film. In order to recover the paper fibers, they would need to be separated from this film layer. That's a step most paper recycling processes are not set up to handle. So, please put these cartons into the trash. --posted by Susanne Tuesday, December 23, 2008What kinds of wrapping paper are recyclable?
From our mailbag: What kinds of wrapping paper are recyclable? I specifically wonder about the shiny, metallic paper that my wife likes. Thanks for your timely question, M.! Metallic and foil papers do create a fine-looking gift presentation! But, as much as I hate to introduce any domestic discontent, please tell your wife (gently!) that we cannot accept foil- or plastic-coated papers for recycling. We accept all other types of gift wrap paper (minus the bows and ribbons!). In a related question, B. asked: Can you tell me what can be done with tissue paper? Sure! That can go into your wheeled cart or paper recycling bundle, right along with the rest of your recyclable paper. A note about the photo: that roll of gift wrap is labeled "polywrap". It looks like foil paper but... it's actually a thin plastic film. If you have or receive any of this type of wrap, please dispose of it as trash once you are finished using (and reusing) it; we cannot accept plastic films in our recycling program. --posted by Susanne
Thursday, November 20, 2008Compact fluorescent bulb recycling is now easierYesterday, I received this blog comment: You should never throw your cfl bulbs in the regular trash because it contains mercury. It takes just one teaspoon of mercury to contaminate a 20 acre lake forever. It is also illegal to throw them into the trash in many states. Were you writing in response to this blog entry about compact fluorescent light disposal? In the year that has passed since that entry was posted, our CFL recycling opportunities have expanded. We have identified eight local retail stores which accept residents' CFLs for recycling. That's in addition to the Hazardous Waste drop-off at our Solid Waste Transfer Station and our community Household Hazardous Waste collection events. (Our community events have ended for 2008; we'll post our 2009 schedule as soon as it's announced in the Spring.) We'll continue to update our map of local CFL recycling locations, and other CFL disposal tips as this information evolves. -- posted by Susanne Comment on this postMonday, September 22, 2008Pillow disposal/recycling/reuse: a follow-up on the follow-upAfter finding our blog in a webseach, and reading these posts about pillow disposal, a blog reader sent me this note: When I contacted my local animal shelters about old pillows, they told me they cannot take them, as the animals shred them and can accidentally ingest the filling. Thank you for the opportunity to do a little more research. I contacted two shelters local to our office. One shelter responded with: We do accept pillows. We also accept blankets (no wool), comforters, bathroom rugs, towels, beach towels, carpet squares, and mattress pads (no electric blankets). The other wrote back, noting: I am not a fan of pillows because the stuffing is usually not good for animals and is hard to clean because of its thickness. We desperately need blankets, towels, and sheets. So, as is the case with many donation opportunities, check with your prospective recipients to confirm that they are able to use what you wish to give them. Our Use It Again Guide is one resource to help you direct your donations, and we're happy to receive your donations of tips to help us expand the Guide even further. -- posted by Susanne Monday, July 21, 2008More on recycling berry and other "clamshell" containersLast Thursday, I wrote about recycling (or not) "clamshell" containers used for packaging berries. Over the weekend, we received this note: You stated in your answer that berry containers can't be recycled because they are polystyrene (#6). However, some, including one I planned to recycle, are PETE (#1). Can these #1 clamshell containers be recycled? Thanks, S., for the opportunity to clarify this topic further. Sorry, we cannot accept the #1 clamshell containers either. So, in summary: no clamshell containers in your blue bins, please. On Saturday morning, my family and I went blueberry picking. I noticed that one of the fellow berry-pickers near us was carefully depositing his harvest into... a large, clear clamshell container. There were still lots of blueberries ripening on the bushes, with blackberries available, too, and the promise of raspberries to come! So, there is time yet to refill your own berry containers with some tasty summer goodness before retiring them to the trash. Thursday, May 08, 2008Why not have a bin for recycling plastic bags at the Transfer Station?From our mailbag: Too bad the recycling center can't accept them. Why not have an additional bin for them? Although stores like Whole Food are terminating them from their stores, unfortunately, those plastic bags are still a significant part of our surrounding. We are constantly evaluating the range of materials we are able to accept in the recycling drop-off area at our Solid Waste Transfer Station. Just last month, we expanded our electronics recycling program to accept small electronics, in addition to the computers and televisions we were already taking. At this time, we are unable to dedicate a collection container to plastic bags at the Transfer Station. Instead, we recommend that you take your plastic bags to recycling bins at your local grocery stores. Hopefully, having drop-off options close to home will make it even more convenient than bringing bags to us. And, we encourage using reusable cloth bags whenever possible, which helps you avoid having plastic bags to recycle.
Sunday, March 16, 2008Our yard trim information is just a shortcut awayA resident asked us for online information about yard trim recycling and our compost bins. We gave her the direct links to these pages. She wrote back to thank us, adding: Now I just need to explain to others (as a message in a newsletter) how to find them (without the ridiculously long URL) at the DPWT website. The good news is that you may find our yard trim and composting information quickly and easily at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/yardtrim. Thank you, P., for the opportunity to share our yard trim information shortcut! Saturday, March 08, 2008What should I recycle in my 32-gal recycling can?Many of you are ordering our 32-gallon blue recycling can. Thanks! We look forward to receiving the items you collect in them. This week, our mailbag included this email:
Oops! Actually, the paper-only rule applies just to our wheeled cart. Here's a little summary of what materials to place into which container:
And yes, given this additional information, the resident decided to cancel the request to cancel the order. A blue can is on the way!
Friday, February 15, 2008How do I get rid of bowling balls?
I have 5 bowling balls to get rid of. Can I leave them for curbside collection? Please say, yes. Thank you for your question, D.! The answer is a qualified "yes"... If you have Montgomery County-provided trash service, you could request a bulk trash collection for your bowling balls. On the other hand, reuse would be a great alternative, and keep the heavy bowling balls out of the waste stream. Posting an offer to your local Freecycle Network group or to Craigslist would probably find you a taker in little time. Or, if you're feeling creative, those bowling balls could become works of art!
Friday, January 18, 2008Can I recycle a dirty bottle?From our mailbag: If someone has stuffed a napkin or other items inside a bottle or can—and the items cannot be removed—can the bottle still be recycled at your facility? Thanks for your question, B.! Yes, our Recycling Center can accept bottles and cans with items inside them. Here's why: The bottles and cans are sent to intermediate processors where the materials are cleaned and items such as napkins that may have accompanied the material are removed. This process is similar to removing the paper labels from the containers at these intermediate processing facilities. So, keep giving us those cans and bottles, even if they have extra items tucked inside! Each can and bottle makes a positive difference towards meeting our County recycling goals. Wednesday, January 02, 2008How do I dispose of an artificial Christmas tree?A Happy New Year to all of you! From a Live Help chat to us: What is the prescribed way to dispose of an old artificle / fake metal Christmas tree? Thanks. Actually, thank you for the opportunity to add to the information on our Christmas tree recycling web page. Here is the information I have added to the Christmas tree page... If you have Montgomery County-provided trash collection serviceIf you have Montgomery County-provided trash service, please request a bulk trash pickup for your artificial Christmas tree at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/bulktrash or 240-777-6410. If you have privately-provided trash serviceIf you have privately-provided trash service because you or your homeowners' association have direct contract with a company, please check with your collection company for instructions. If your artificial tree is still in usable conditionIf your artificial Christmas tree is still in usable condition, consider offering it to a fellow community member on your local Freecycle Network group. Tuesday, December 18, 2007Our Veggie Oil Exchange makes it to Grist's "Ask Umbra" columnFrom our mailbag: I don't know if you are familiar with this on-line advice column, but it is a feature of Grist. Recently your MoCo website got a mention!I appreciate your note, M. Sure enough! In her December 3, 2007, Ask Umbra column about uses for old cooking oil, Grist's Umbra Fisk wrote: "I also had a little luck on Craigslist and a surprising result when I put "donate used vegetable oil" into my search engine: the solid waste department for Montgomery County, Md., has an entire veggie oil exchange listing on their website. Zounds." Thanks for finding us, Umbra, and for sharing the word about our Vegetable Oil Exchange with your readers! Thursday, December 06, 2007When will my leaves be picked up?From our mailbag: I live at [address removed] and still have not seen a [leaf] collection. We in the Division of Solid Waste Services provide the weekly curbside yard trim collection; the leaf vacuuming is done by our sister agency, the Highway Operations Section. Our colleagues in Highway Operations are posting leaf collection updates to their website to keep residents up-to-date about crews' progress. In neighborhoods receiving leaf vacuuming, crews post signs a few days in advance of each leaf collection. Crews do their best to meet their planned schedules. However, Mother Nature can and does pose challenges to them. For example, yesterday's snow meant that some of the leafing equipment was put on "snow duty." And, when that snow melts, the wet leaves will be more difficult to vacuum than dry leaves. Wednesday, December 05, 2007How do I dispose of an old console television?From our mailbag: How do I dispose of an old console television? We checked with our Transfer Station colleagues to see whether it would be accepted there for recycling. And, the answer is... yes, console televisions are accepted for recycling in our new television recycling program. If you cannot transport the console television to the Transfer Station, and if you receive Montgomery County-provided trash service, then you may request a curbside bulk trash collection for this item. The tradeoff is that while the television would be collected at your curb, it would not be recycled. Thanks for asking! Confirming the answer gave our Call Center staff and me the opportunity to expand our own knowledge. And, as a result of your question, I have updated our television page to include console televisions. So, dear readers, keep your questions coming!
CATEGORIES: Computers / Electronics , Mailbag , Recycling , Transfer Station , Trash
POSTED: 3:43:00 PM | 
Saturday, November 17, 2007More information on pillow disposalEarlier this month, I wrote about pillow disposal. Today, I received this note from C., one of our readers: I suspect that the person's local veterinarian or animal shelter might be glad to get the pillows to use as bedding for needy or sick animals. Go ahead and ask--they might be delighted. Thanks, C., for this tip! In the solid waste management hierarchy, reuse ranks higher than recycling. And, of course, the possibility of giving old pillows a new lease on life is preferable to throwing them into the trash. Thursday, November 01, 2007Can I recycle pillows?From our mailbag: I have a bunch of bed pillows that have seen better days. I don't want to Freecycle, but was wondering where to recycle them. They are not terrible but, not hygienic enough to pass along Thanks for your question, P.! I put the question to the manager of our clothing and textile recycling program. We are able to accept only pillows which are new, and in a bag. So, please dispose of your used pillows in your household trash. Do you know of other options for used pillows? Please let me know about them!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007How to order a new blue recycling binFrom our mailbag:your emails concerning pickup times etc have been very helpful! Thanks for this feedback on our email subscription lists! May I suggest that one of the blogs address new recycling bins and whom to contact when a new one is needed? I know I am in need of one and would appreciate that information. Thanks very much! You may request a new recycling bin through our "web store", which is open for your orders 24 hours a day. Our "store" also offers yard trim decals and many other items, including downloadable versions of our brochures, handbooks, and other publications. If you prefer to place your order by phone, call our Customer Service staff at 240-777-6410. Thanks for writing in, A. Enjoy your new recycling bin! Wednesday, July 25, 2007How to get yard trim decals From our mailbag:My neighbor has a label that he pasted on a big waste bin where he puts his garden waste. I use the disposable paper bags which rot out on the bottom if rained on. Where can I get a label such as the ones my neighbor has?Your new yard trim decals are only a few clicks away; we offer them to you at no charge through our website. Then, watch for the envelope in your mail. You may also order decals by phone from our Customer Service staff: 240-777-6410. Monday, July 23, 2007How may you recycle a riding mower?From our mailbag:Would you please inform me of the options for disposing of a riding mower.Sure! We accept riding mowers at the Shady Grove Transfer Station. However, you must transport the mower there yourself. Drain any remaining oil and fuel from the mower. Then, bring it to the scrap metal recycling area at the Transfer Station. More details about our Scrap Metal program Monday, July 09, 2007Can we recycle batteries? From our mailbag:Can we recycle batteries that we use for our toys and other things? - E., Age 6 Thanks for your question, E. Many grown-ups ask us about this, too. Please put alkaline batteries from your toys and flashlights into your regular household trash.
For handy reference, here's the link to our battery disposal/recycling page.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007How to dispose of compact fluorescent light bulbsUpdated information posted November 20, 2008. From our mailbag: Do electric light bulbs and fluorescent tubes go into the recycling bin? Thanks for asking! No, the only glass we accept in our curbside blue bin recycling program is that used for bottles and jars. To dispose of incandescent ("regular") light bulbs, please wrap them in paper, and place them into your regular household trash. (Why put otherwise recyclable paper into the trash? Recycling as much as possible is important, but your safety and the collection crew's safety is even more important. Wrapping the bulb in paper helps prevent injury by containing the glass shards if the bulb breaks.) To dispose of your compact fluorescent light bulbs, please take them to our Household Hazardous Waste drop-off sites, if this is practical for you. (They contain a small amount of mercury.) If it is not practical, please wrap and put the compact fluorescent bulb into your regular household trash, as you would an incandescent bulb. What if a bulb breaks? The US EPA website has clean-up instructions for broken compact fluorescent light bulbs. To help your household be prepared, I've updated our "How to Recycle/Dispose of: Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes" page with this information. |
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Button batteries, nickel-cadmium (rechargeable) batteries, uninterruptible power supplies and lead acid (car) batteries are examples of batteries which Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services
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