No, "New Year, Same Us!" If we had to write a book, 2025 would be titled "We're Still Here!" Whether it's managing the County's trash and recycling, transitioning homes and businesses to cleaner energy, or protecting our waterways — DEP remains committed to enhancing the quality of life in our community by safeguarding our air, water and land.
For many, January is the season of new beginnings and fresh start. While you are making resolutions to improve your physical, mental and spiritual health, we wanted to challenge you to add an environmentally resolution to your list.
Not sure where to start? We got you covered! Here are three environmental resolutions, to get you started:
- Bring your food scraps to local farmers markets for recycling. Last year, over 92,000 tons of food waste was thrown in the trash in Montgomery County. Help us eliminate excess food waste and recycle your food scraps. Click here for a list of food scraps recycling drop-off locations in Montgomery County.
- Use a reusable bag while shopping. Store reusable bags in your trunk, glove compartment, backseat, purse or backpack to save yourself 10 cents, per bag, and help us eliminate plastic waste in Montgomery County.
- Schedule a curbside collection to pick up old batteries, electronics and holiday lights. Help us reduce the risk of trash fires by keeping batteries and electronics out of your trash and recycling bins. For a full list of the types of batteries and electronic that can be recycled, click here.
- Join a community cleanup. Trash does not stay where you leave it. Rain and wind carry litter into storm drains, streams, neighborhoods and parks. Help us keep Montgomery County clean, by rerouting litter. Interested in helping us protect our local waterways? Click here to volunteer with the stream stewards program.
You never know, your environmental resolution could start a chain reaction. Remember, small changes can make a big impact.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year.
Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas created during the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks and soils. It is found in nearly all soils. Radon typically moves up through the ground and into homes and buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation, although there are other radon sources. It usually does not present a health risk outdoors because it is diluted in the open air. However, radon can build up to dangerous levels inside a house.
As you begin to take down the holiday lights and put away the decorations. Don't forget to test your home for radon. There is no better time than during National Radon Action Month. Want to learn more about radon? Click here.
The 2025 Montgomery County Climate Action Plan (CAP) Annual Report is out!
Organized around seven climate action categories and zero waste activities, this Annual Report summarizes ongoing programs and initiatives to cut county-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035. Click here to read the full report.
Landscape contractors are invited to attend our annual training presented by the RainScapes team. This year’s training, “Green Infrastructure Best Practices and Contractor Roundtable” will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 10:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., at the Germantown Library.
This interactive, 2-part workshop is a chance to brush up on the details of Green Infrastructure projects eligible for RainScapes Rebate, along with a chance for contractors to network and provide recommendations to improving the existing RainScapes process. Those who complete the workshop will have their company added to the public RainScapes Contractor List and will receive 3 CBLP credits.
Registration is limited and lunch will not be provided. To register for the workshop, click here.
Did you know that one teaspoon of road salt permanently pollutes five gallons of water? Winter salt does not just go away. When excess salt is left on the ground, it pollutes our waterways and drinking water, damages our infrastructure and harms our aquatic life.
Winter Salt Week (Jan. 25-30), is a week dedicated to raising awareness around salt pollution and reduction solutions. Every year, during the last week of January, governmental and non-governmental organizations across the United States come together to highlight challenges, showcase successes, and elevate the need for broader policy and societal action.
Join us for DMV Winter Salt Week Open House to discover how we can keep our winter roads safe without compromising the health of our local waterways and drinking water.
This year’s event features hands-on activities designed to help you become a "smart salter." The DMV (DC, MD & VA) Winter Salt Week Open House schedule includes:
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Open House (Saturday, Jan. 31): Join us in person from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Izaak Walton League of America Headquarters in Gaithersburg, MD.
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Hands-On Activities: Watch live smart salting demonstrations, participate in stream monitoring at Muddy Branch, and bring your own tap or stream water for free chloride testing.
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Community Impact: Learn from experts about practical strategies to protect local ecosystems, reduce infrastructure damage, and safeguard your drinking water.
This event is free and open to the public, including media, government officials, and non-government officials. Help us keep freshwater fresh—click here to register and save your spot!
There will be no county-provided recycling or trash collections on Monday, Jan. 19. After the holiday, pickups will slide one day, with the last pickup on Saturday, Jan. 24.
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Monday, Jan. 12: Water Quality Advisory Group (Virtual) 7-8 p.m.
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Wednesday, Jan. 28: Green Infrastructure Best Practices and Contractor Roundtable, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
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Saturday, Jan. 31: Creek Critters @ Rockville Science Center, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
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Food Scraps Recycling Drop-Off at County Farmers Markets
- Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Sundays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Check out our calendar for more details about upcoming events.
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