Recycling...A Final Note

Westminster, MD, Monday, July 22, 2019 – Recycling is an important process in the Carroll County community. This is the last of five news releases intended to inform county citizens of several important aspects of recycling.

Waste is an environmental challenge and the state sets  a mandated 35% goal for Carroll County (based on population). Carroll County currently has a 47.4% recycling rate including a 5% source reduction credit for the many waste diversion efforts done in the county. Although the county is exceeding the state goal, citizens can help by effectively recycling. Detailed information regarding Carroll County recycling programs may be found on the county website and a guide to Waste Management and Recycling is also available .

The most important thing to remember in the recycling program is quality.  “When in Doubt, Throw it Out”!  Anything in the bin that is not part of our program is considered contamination and jeopardizes the whole collection.  Check our acceptable items list and know before you throw.

Some interesting factoids about recycling:

Recycle Across America lists the following “Top 7 Facts to Know”:

• Without exception, recycling is the top action society can do to simultaneously improve: the environment, the economy, sustainable manufacturing and to prevent waste from going into oceans.
• ​Recycling is collapsing in the U.S. due to public confusion about recycling.
• ​U.S. recycling levels are currently 21.4% (recent EPA funded Yale University Study)
• ​When U.S. recycling levels reach 75%, it will be the environmental and CO2 equivalent of removing 55 million cars from U.S. roads each year.
• When U.S. recycling levels reach 75% it will generate 1.5 million new jobs in the U.S. (net).
• Manufacturers truly want these materials back to reuse in their manufacturing, but they aren't able to reuse the materials if people don't recycle right.
• The nonprofit standardized label mission is the #1 solution to help society begin to recycle right and therefore, help recycling begin to thrive.

More interesting facts about recycling are available here:
Recycle Across America
Environmental Protection Agency
Keep America Beautiful 

Remember….When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the Carroll County Government and its programs, services, activities, and facilities. Anyone requiring an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or who has a complaint should contact The Department of Citizen Services, 410.386.3600 or 1.888.302.8978,  MD Relay 7-1-1/1.800.735.2258, or email ada@carrollcountymd.gov as soon as possible but no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.