For decades, Howard County has been a leader in recycling, first surpassing state requirements back in 1993. The County continues to exceed the minimum state requirements of the Maryland Recycling Act (MRA), which requires the County achieve a 35% recycling rate. The goals set forth in the County’s 10 Year Solid Waste Management Plan are to exceed this rate and establish a 60% voluntary waste diversion goal (recycling rate plus source reduction credits) across residential and commercial sectors.

So, how does the County plan to meet their 60% voluntary waste diversion goal? The County’s Solid Waste Management Plan lays out a multi-faceted approach centered on increasing commercial recycling participation and increasing residential recycling and organics diversion from the waste stream. 

Staying on track will take both infrastructure and behavior change. The County is:

• Expanding green bin access for residents as capacity at the composting facility becomes available. The County is also pursuing a partnership with the newly constructed anaerobic digester facility in Jessup that provides food waste processing for commercial generators. 
• Stepping up public education, addressing common confusion about plastics and contamination.
• Supporting recycling markets and encouraging local businesses to use recycled materials, so items collected in bins have reliable places to go.

With total waste projected to grow alongside population, the County’s path to 60% depends on both stronger systems and residents’ and business’ everyday choices.