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Press Release
For immediate release:
April 4, 2023
For more information, contact:
Brittani Garner, Public Information Officer
Department of the Environment
(301) 456-5619 (cell); bgarner@co.pg.md.us
Prince George’s County Leads the State in Recycling and Waste Diversion
Ranks No. 1 in recycling and diverting trash from the Landfill
Largo, MD – Prince George’s County is once again the leader in Maryland for keeping trash from the landfill and recycling right. The County recently adopted new initiatives to reduce waste to help the County reclaim the top spot. One such initiative includes expanding its curbside composting program, PGC Composts, to 85,000 households, with plans for all residents receiving County trash and recycling services to receive a green-wheeled cart by the end of the year.
“We are Prince George’s Proud to reclaim the #1 recycling and waste diversion spot in the State, showing that Prince George’s County is developing innovative practices that lead by example in Maryland and even the nation,” said County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “We continue to adopt smart waste technologies that increase efficiency, lower collection costs, and divert more trash away from our landfill. With the support of our residents, we will continue to build an even more environmentally friendly and sustainable County.”
“We are excited to show that Prince Georgians continue to create sustainable habits in their daily lives to protect and preserve our environment,” said Andrea Crooms, Director of the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE). “With improvements to several of our waste collection services, we not only divert valuable resources from being trashed but reduce our greenhouse gases, improve our soil health, and conserve our water.”
According to the latest figures released by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for 2021, the County’s waste diversion stands at 65.71 percent and recycling at 61.71 percent, surpassing those from the calendar year 2020 of 46.34 and 41.34, respectively.
The recycling tonnage is divided by the total waste number (tonnage) to obtain the recycling rate. MDE calculates the rate by adding the disposed trash tonnage and the recycling tonnage to provide a total waste number. The County also received a Source Reduction Credit from MDE for engaging and educating residents on reducing waste at its source. Examples of source reduction practices include leaving grass trimmings on your lawn to add nutrients back into the soil, using reusable shopping bags and water bottles, and selecting products that contain the least amount of packaging.
The County has instituted several regulations to assist in diverting waste from the landfill, including requiring all businesses to provide recycling and trash receptacles in and outside their business. This regulation also extends to multi-family residences/apartments. In addition, the County has a Styrofoam and plastic straw ban, and beginning June 1, whether you go into a restaurant for takeout, go through the drive-through, or order from an app, food service ware will be provided upon request only. This includes foodware accessories like ketchup, straws, napkins, and cutlery. Another waste-reducing strategy involves installing solar-powered, sensor-equipped trash and recycling compactors in high-traffic areas.
View a full copy of the MDE Report here. For information on the County’s Business Recycling Program, source reduction, or other waste management programs, call 301-883-3635. For all additional information, contact PGC311 or dial 3-1-1.
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