Duncan Pledges Full Implementation Of Mixed-Paper Recycling Program in August

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

mixedpaper_pr 00-276

Contact: David Weaver, 240-777-6530;
Eileen Kao, 240-777-6406

For Immediate Release: July 24, 2000

Duncan Pledges Full Implementation
Of Mixed-Paper Recycling Program in August

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today announced that 85 percent of County single-family households are currently receiving mixed-paper recycling services and that by the end of August, every County single-family residence will be able to recycle most household paper products via weekly curbside collection.

Duncan, who joined other officials on a tour of the County's new mixed-paper recycling facility at Office Paper Systems, Inc. (OPS) in Gaithersburg, said that when the mixed-paper program is fully implemented, it will mark the largest expansion of County recycling services in the past five years.

"We're committed to protecting the environment and making it as easy as possible for our residents to recycle," Duncan said. "In the next year, we expect to be collecting 60,000 to 90,000 tons of mixed paper from nearly 200,000 households, adding to the 26,000 tons of cans, glass and plastic bottles we currently collect."

"Montgomery County will be well served by this important addition to our recycling efforts," said County Council member Isiah Leggett. "Our citizens, our environment and our quality of life will be the winners."

"In addition to the outreach campaign that began last year when the mixed-paper phase-in began, we're now launching a major advertising campaign to further remind residents of the benefits of recycling mixed paper products and how easy it is," Duncan said.

Designed to coincide with the final stages of the mixed-paper collection implementation and to reinforce the procedure for mixed-paper recycling for the next 12 months, the public education campaign announced today will include newspaper advertising, radio spots and TV public service announcements.

Under the County's contract with OPS, residents can recycle any dry, clean paper, including unwanted mail, magazines, catalogues, cereal and other cardboard boxes, which can be boxed, bundled, and/or placed in brown paper bags in put in the blue bin.

For more information on mixed-paper recycling, call the Division of Solid Waste Services Customer Service line at 240-777-6410.

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