Executive Announces Year-End Recycling Rates: Commends Homeowners For Recycling Achievements, Challenges Commercial and Multi-Family Sectors To Improve

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For Immediate Release: November 30, 2000

Contact: Eileen Kao, Div. of Solid Waste Services, 240-777-6406;
David Weaver, Public Information, 240-777-3530
Al Genetti, 240-777- 7170, Dept. of Public Works & Transportation

Executive Announces Year-end Recycling Rates:
Commends Homeowners for Recycling Achievements,
Challenges Commercial and Multi-family Sectors to Improve

Announcing the County's year-end recycling rates, County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today praised the single-family housing residents for recycling nearly 58 percent of their waste stream and surpassing the County's self-imposed goal of recycling 50 percent.

Speaking at a news conference at the home of model recyclers Donald and Iona Foor in Aspen Hill, Duncan commended the approximately 200,000 households that receive weekly recycling pickups for responding to the County's ongoing outreach efforts designed to encourage residents to recycle.

"This segment of our population has responded overwhelmingly and we wanted to publicly acknowledge their achievement," Duncan said.

While praising the single-family residents, Duncan, however, expressed disappointment with the figures reported from the business and multi-family sectors.

According to information released by the Division of Solid Waste Services, businesses in Montgomery County are recycling only to the rate of 29 percent, with the multi-family properties (apartments and condominiums) rate at 10.8 percent.

Calling the business and multi-family rates "far too low," Duncan promised swift action on addressing the challenge of increasing the rates. "Because the commercial sector generates nearly 50 percent of the County's waste, and, given their relatively low recycling rate, we intend to focus major attention on businesses," Duncan said. "I want to emphasize, however, that we have some businesses that are doing an outstanding job of recycling. In fact, I intend to call on some of the local business leaders who have successful recycling programs and ask them to share their expertise and success stories."

Council member Isiah Legget, chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee said, "I am pleased that we will end this year with the recycling rate from our single-family homes at nearly 58 percent. This is an outstanding effort on behalf of these residents.

"We know it takes a little more effort on everyone's part to recycle," Leggett said, "but these single-family rates demonstrate that so many of our residents are truly committed to reducing the waste stream and improving the environment. However, in order to meet our overall objectives, we must increase our ongoing campaign to encourage our businesses and multi-family dwellers to significantly improve their rate of recycling."

Duncan announced three initiatives that can be undertaken before the end of the year aimed at addressing the commercial rates.

Demonstration Model Recycler Program - The Division of Solid Waste Services will work closely with several businesses in the County to establish strong recycling and waste reduction programs. These model programs will be showcased as working examples that can be used as models for other businesses to follow.

Partners-in-Recycling Program - Local businesses that have successful recycling programs in place will serve as mentors for businesses that are either just creating a recycling program or need help with an existing program.

Executive Task Force on Business Recycling - Business leaders, including representatives from property management companies, will be invited to serve on the task force that will provide the Executive with insight into issues, impediments, specific areas of concern and even success that impact the ability of businesses to recycle. The group will explore options and issue recommendations.

Duncan also announced that, through a letter to be sent to single-family residences throughout the County, he will be asking homeowners to help encourage recycling in the workplace, schools and apartments and condominiums.

"The bottom line on recycling is about more than reaching a goal," Duncan said. "It's about preserving precious natural resources, and it's a cause we all need to get behind."

For more information on recycling in Montgomery County, call the Division of Solid Waste Services at 240-777-6400.

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