Montgomery County is committed to serving as a model for both the state and country through continuous improvement of our materials management system. To this end, the County Executive has proposed to close the incinerator and change how the County handles its solid waste and recycling in an ongoing effort to aim for zero waste.
Right now, most of our waste goes to the Shady Grove Transfer Station, then by train to the Resource Recovery Facility in Dickerson—where non-hazardous trash is burned at high temperatures to generate electricity.
The County is exploring another option:
Litter comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it looks like household trash, and other times it's a random shopping cart. To some people, this may feel like a minor issue, something not worth talking about, but to us, this is major.
Litter ruins our biodiversity, harms our ecosystems, and hurts our communities. It affects everyone and everything. It's never "just" one water bottle or one disposable cup. Litter travels and is rarely found alone. Wind, snow, rain, and people can carry litter into our streams, parks, and community.
Help us keep our community clean and put litter in its place by:
- Signing up to participate in a litter cleanup
- Amplify your sustainability skills by learning more about our trash and recycling programs
- Reporting litter to MC311
Our summer 2026 Watershed Restoration internships have been posted.
Interns will have the opportunity to contribute to real-world projects that protect local streams, improve water quality, and support sustainable practices across the County. Make an impact and help shape a sustainable future!
With flexible hours (20-32 per week) and exposure to professionals in engineering, biology, and environmental planning, this internship provides a unique chance to develop technical skills, gain practical experience, and make a meaningful impact on the environment.
- Hourly rate: $18.15
- Location: 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD
- Apply by: March 31
- Eligibility: Open to current college or graduate students; Montgomery County residents preferred
For more information and application instructions visit the webpage.
Did you know that DEP is responsible for inspecting and maintaining stormwater management infrastructure? Through this work we have identified and prioritized the repair of several corrugated metal pipes or CMPs.
Since 2021, the combined work on 20 pipe repair projects has saved over seven million dollars and countless hours. Learn how the County is saving money through an innovative stormwater pipe repair process called sliplining! Watch the Sliplining video.
Evaluating Stormwater Solutions for Home Landscapes: Thursday, April 30, 7-9 p.m. Virtual (Zoom) | $15
Learn how environmentally friendly landscapes, such as conservation landscapes and rain gardens, can help manage stormwater issues on residential properties. We will cover steps to planning a RainScape including site evaluation and determining the type and scale of project that best suits your needs. Register on Active Montgomery (Activity Number PBG0015).
Conservation Landscapes: Dig into the Most Versatile Stormwater Garden: Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m. – Noon, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton | $25
Explore the benefits of Conservation Landscapes to manage your property's stormwater concerns. Learn strategies to properly size a garden project, estimate plant quantities, and create an effective planting plan. Study the range of native plants for managing water runoff and supporting pollinators and wildlife. Learn the steps to develop and submit a plan that qualifies for the RainScapes Rewards Rebate. Registrants will receive a selection of free native plants to take home. Classes are open to anyone regardless if applying for a RainScape rebate and attendance at the prior session on April 30, is not required. An optional brief garden tour will be included as part of the program. Register on Active Montgomery (Activity Number PBG0015).
The Montgomery County GreenFest is the largest annual environmental festival in Montgomery County. This year's festival will take place on Saturday, April 25, at BlackRock Center for the Arts.
Volunteers are key to helping make this event a success! Volunteers help with set up, welcoming, activities, traffic control, breakdown, and other assigments as needed. SSL hours are provided. Sign up to volunteer at GreenFest.
 Career positions:
Internship Opportunity:
- The Montgomery County Executive’s Office is seeking current college or graduate Summer Climate Interns to support their work. Interns will gain hands-on experience with local government climate efforts, including policy research, program support, and a strong focus on communications and community outreach. Interns will be on-boarded and paid through a temporary services agency and will be detailed to the County for the internship duration. Email Climate@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov for internship application details.
Advisory Board Openings:
-
Thursday, March 5: Future of Trash Open House (Virtual), 6-8:30 p.m.
-
Tuesday, March 10: Dickerson Area Facilities Implementation Group Quarterly Meeting, 7-9 p.m.
-
Wednesday, March 11: Mending Workshop, 1-2 p.m.
-
Food Scraps Recycling Drop-Off at Local 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.
|
