st/dropoff.pr                            Contact:  Rick Dimont, (301) 840-2370


RECYCLING PROGRAMS AIMED 
AT REUSING AND RECYCLING
BUILDING AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS            For Immediate Release:  June 13, 1996


     Recycling and waste reduction programs in Montgomery County extend well
beyond those for items collected at curbside, such as newspapers and
disposable containers.  The County sponsors collection programs for such
varied items as building materials, mattresses, textiles and clothing, and
discarded furniture.
     These recycling and waste reduction programs include the following:   
                           "DON'T DUMP, DONATE!"
     "Don't Dump, Donate!" is the message behind the County's program to
collect used building and construction materials in good condition for reuse
by non-profit organizations and low-income housing projects.  Building
materials received are fully tax-deductible as donations.
     Acceptable materials include paint in unopened cans, lumber, dry wall,
dry wall mud, counter tops, sinks, carpets, plumbing fixtures, electrical
switches and other reusable building materials that are in good condition.
     The building materials are available to non-profit organizations and
church groups, in addition to The Loading Dock (TLD) -- a non-profit
organization based in Baltimore that distributes these materials to low income
housing projects and sells them to people on financial assistance in the
Baltimore area.
                                  (more)

RECYCLING PROGRAMS                                           2-2-2-2

     Building materials can be dropped off at the County's Solid Waste
Transfer Station on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m   The Transfer Station is located at MD Route 355 and Shady
Grove Road.  Trucks should enter from the Shady Grove entrance.  Special
arrangements can be made for residents and businesses with large quantity
donations.
                               MATTRESSCYCLE
     The Mattresscycle program recycles and reuses mattresses.  Mattresses
that can be re-sold are put directly onto the Salvation Army's showroom floor. 
Mattresses that cannot be reused are sold to a processor and rebuilt, and are
then sold to hotel and motel chains.
     Acceptable materials include dry, unbroken mattresses and throw pillows. 
Foam rubber products or carpet padding is not accepted.  Since July 1992, the
program has diverted 74 tons of mattresses.    
     Donations can be dropped off at the County's Transfer Station, Route 355
and Shady Grove Road.  Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.
to 8 p.m., Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
                             TEXTILE RECYCLING
       Beginning in March 1993, the County started a program to collect
clothing and textile products to redistribute to persons in need.  Serving as
an outlet for charities which are frequently inundated with surplus clothes
that are either unacceptable or unusable, the program accepts clothing as well
as other textiles such as curtains, tablecloths, towels, handbags, shoes,
sheets and blankets.  Soiled or mildewed items are not acceptable.
                                  (more)

RECYCLING PROGRAMS                                        3-3-3-3

     Donations can be dropped off at the County's Transfer Station, Route 355
and Shady Grove any time during regular operating hours.
                        HOC FURNITURE REUSE PROGRAM
     The Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) Furniture Reuse Program
accepts tables, chairs, sofas, beds, mattresses, box springs, carpets and
carpet padding that are in very good condition.  HOC will pick up donations,
using its own trucks and personnel, and distribute items to needy families. 
Since the program began in July 1993, HOC has diverted more than 77 tons of
reusable furniture from the waste stream to needy families.
     To have furniture picked up, residents should call 495-0983 and leave a
message.
                                     
     For more information on any of the recycling "drop-off" programs, call
the recycling hotline at 590-0046 Monday through Friday, between 1 and 4 p.m.,
or the Division of Solid Waste Services at 217-2770.

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