Monday, September 23, 2013

Monday Map: Service Area Cartogram



 

The thirteen Division of Solid Waste Services' Service Areas are typically shown on a map by their geographic size and shape.  Service Areas encompass the roads that must be traveled to make collections and the households that actually receive collection service.

What if we wanted to show the relative size of a Service Area based on household count? One way would be to attach a table of actual household count numbers to the map, letting your eyes and brain figure it out.

Another method is the Cartogram. A Cartogram is a map on which a thematic variable, such as household count, is substituted for land area. That is, the Service Area would be displayed not by Square Feet, but by how many households get Montgomery County-provided collection service.  As you can see, the land area size and shape as we know it are distorted. However, it is easy to see how “big” an area is based on household count. Notice how the downcounty became bigger and the upcounty became much smaller.

-- Angie Braun, GIS Specialist

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

11.9 Tons of paper were shredded and recycled at September 7, 2013, event

A volunteer and worker unload paper from resident's car.

On Saturday, September 7, 2013, the Division of Solid Waste Services (DSWS) hosted the first of three confidential paper shredding/recycling and reusable clothing and household goods donation collection events for fall 2013.

During the course of the four-hour event, DSWS staff and recycling volunteers helped unload confidential paper from the 588 vehicles that drove through the event. A total of 23,832 pounds (11.9 tons) of confidential paper was shredded and recycled, and 504 pounds of cardboard boxes was also recycled. The reusable clothing/household items donated to the National Children’s Center filled one-quarter of a box truck.

The next paper shredding/recycling and clothing/household goods donation collection event will be held at Paint Branch High (14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2013.

See more information about our paper shredding and donation events

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

We now accept bulky rigid plastics for drop-off recycling

Effective September 4, 2013, we now accept bulky rigid plastics for drop-off recycling at our Solid Waste Processing Facility and Transfer Station!

See Shady Grove Transfer Station hours and directions. Use the Route 355 / Frederick Road entrance for dropping off bulky rigid plastic items.

What bulky rigid plastic items are included?

 We can accept items such as:
  • Toys (no batteries, wood or wires)
  • Playhouses and swimming pools
  • Large buckets (larger than 5-gallon in size)
  • Milk/soda crates
  • Landscape items (edging, trays, etc.)
  • Laundry baskets
  • Lawn furniture
  • Closet organizers
  • Dish drainers
  • Tote boxes and lids
  • Drums (food grade ONLY; NO chemical containers)
  • Pet carriers
  • Flower pots and trays (clean, no soil or plant material)
  • Large water bottles (5-gallon or larger)
  • Garbage cans/waste baskets
  • Recycling bins
  • Shelving
  • Trays
  • Automotive parts (plastic bed liners, bumpers, grills and hubcaps)
  • Pallets
  • Traffic signs
  • Composite lumber products
  • PVC and PET blister packs
  • Clothes hangers

How should items be prepared for recycling?

    All items dropped off for recycling should be empty, rinsed, if necessary, and free of loose dirt, soil, etc.

    What plastic items are not accepted?

     Among the items that cannot be recycled with either rigid plastics or commingled materials are:
    • Polystyrene or Styrofoam™ plastics (marked PS #6)
    • PVC pipe/tubing
    • Vinyl fencing/siding
    • Medical waste
    • Motor oil containers
    • Plastics containing or contaminated by chemicals or hazardous waste
    • Film (shopping or grocery bags and stretch film)
    • Pesticide/herbicide containers
    • Garden hoses