Food for thought on products and packaging

One of the first things about which I caution our Behind the Scenes course participants each year is that they may complete the course with more questions than when they began. No, that’s not a typo – not only might the number of questions increase, but the answers may vary depending on the angle of approach.

Revisiting the paper versus plastic question, for example… Going sans bag, or bringing your own reusable one, comes out on top. But, what if you accept a paper bag at the checkout, and then use that bag to bundle your paper recyclables for collection? Or, what if you need plastic bags to line your trash can, or to clean up after your pet? Could it actually be advisable to take a plastic bag at the store, knowing that you’ll reuse it?

What about single-serving containers? What if the multi-serving size of a product uses less packaging overall? Is that a better option? But, what if you were considering the single-serving package because you’d use it all while it was fresh, versus possibly having some of the product in the larger package spoil before you used it?

If you have a choice of plastic tubs or metal cans, which is better? The metal can would be accepted in our program, while the plastic tub would not. But, what if the product in the metal can is more expensive? Would you still purchase it?

Does one type of packaging weigh more than the other? How does that affect the transportation costs of the product?

What factors make up your personal criteria for making product and packaging decision - raw material sourcing? energy usage? water usage? transportation costs? disposal and/or recyclability? potential for reuse? others?

Just some food for thought…

(Posted as our contribution to Blog Action Day)

We're participating in Blog Action Day

Next Monday, October 15, 2007 is Blog Action Day.

Action for what? The environment! Watch for our blog entry next week.

We now recycle televisions at the Transfer Station

Here's something I enjoyed doing on our website:

Montgomery County does not recycle televisions.

That's right - our recycling program has just expanded! Montgomery County has a brand-new television recycling program at our Solid Waste Transfer Station.

The television recycling containers are located next to the fenced computer recycling area:

After just a few days of operation, many boxes have already been filled with televisions! The attendants at the Transfer Station are doing a great job of notifying residents of our new program when they spot televisions in the material those folks are unloading.

What do you choose when the clerk asks "Paper or plastic?"

When you are at the store checkout, and the clerk asks whether you want a paper or a plastic bag for your purchase, what's the best answer?

The "More Than Meets the Eye" feature in today's Washington Post looks at this question in detail. For each material, it examines and compares consumption, production, pollution, recycling, and biodegradability.

As solutions, it suggests

• going without a bag when feasible,
• buying reusable bags and crates, and
• creative ways to reuse paper and plastic bags.

To take waste prevention yet another step further, don't buy any new cloth bags until you have first checked at home. Chances are good that you -- or a friend or relative -- already have a bag (or two or three) that would be a great shopping bag.

Book reuse drop-off at our Solid Waste Transfer Station

What's better than recycling books? Reusing them!

We accept books in our curbside recycling program, and in our mixed paper recycling container at our Solid Waste Transfer Station. The books we receive are recycled.

Now, we have two blue cans next to the Transfer Station's mixed paper recycling container. They are labeled "Books to Donate". When you put your paperback and hardback books into these cans, they are reused as books, rather than as paper fiber in our recycling program. The books are picked up by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation. This is a pilot program for us.

For other local book reuse opportunities, check our Use It Again database.

Temporary traffic flow changes at our Solid Waste Transfer Station

If you've been to the Solid Waste Transfer Station lately, you noticed our big construction project!

Because of this construction, we temporarily moved our scrap metal section. If you enter from the Frederick Road (Route 355) entrance, drive through the recycling drop-off area towards the bulk wood (yard trim) section. At the 3-way intersection, turn left towards the Transfer Station building. The new scrap metal section is in the lower parking lot, next to the Department of Transportation "shed."

Here's a photo of the bulk wood section...

and this is your new (and temporary) scrap metal destination. The Department of Transportation "shed" is the structure on the right side.

Monday, September 3, 2007 - Labor Day - modified schedule

Montgomery County-provided recycling and trash collections

Monday, September 3, 2007 - Labor Day - is a recycling and trash collection holiday. After the holiday, all County-provided recycling and trash collections will be one day later than normal.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

Shady Grove Transfer Station

• closed: Monday, September 3, 2007
• reopens: Tuesday, September 4, 2007
• Transfer Station hours and other details

Damascus and Poolesville Beauty Spots

• closed: Saturday and Sunday, September 1 + 2, 2007
• Beauty Spot hours and other details

Household Hazardous Waste collection dates announced for Fall 2007

What are your options when the Household Hazardous Waste dropoff at the Shady Grove Transfer Station is too far away? See whether one of our community collection events is more conveniently located for you!

Our community collection schedule for Fall 2007 has just been announced. The dates and locations are:

• Saturday, October 20, 2007
  
  Silver Spring International Middle School
  313 Wayne Ave, Silver Spring
  (Dale Dr. & Wayne Ave.)
  
  
• Saturday, November 17, 2007
  
  Westland Middle School
  5511 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda
  (west of Little Falls Parkway)

Want reminders about these dates as they get closer, as well as updates about future collection events? I'm glad you asked! Subscribe to our Household Hazardous Waste newsletter.

Details about our Household Hazardous Waste program

How you do turn your compost pile?

How do you turn your compost pile? A pitchfork works splendidly for backyard composting. But, when you have 77,000 tons of leaves and grass to process, you need a tool that is a bit more robust.

The folks at our Yard Trim Composting Facility in Dickerson, MD, are delighted with their new tool, this bright blue Backhus compost turner. Compared to the turner it replaced, the Backhus is easier to maintain, because it has fewer moving parts. It is also more energy-efficient. And, it cost less money.

Not only does the new machine use less fuel, but it runs on biodiesel.

Newest version of our "Trash Collection Regulations" available

Our newest hot-off-the-press publication is our "Trash Collection Regulations" brochure. Or, if you prefer, our "Regulaciones para la Coleccion de Basura".

This bilingual brochure may not be the next bestseller, but we think it's a pretty handy read. Topics covered include:

• weekly curbside trash collection
• bulk trash collection
• scrap metal recycling collection
• unacceptable materials
• Shady Grove Transfer Station hours of operation
• claims for loss or damages
• a new section on latex paint disposal

Want print copies of this brochure for your neighborhood, homeowners' association, or other group? Just ask, and we'll be happy to supply them.

The fine print: these trash regulations apply to Montgomery County-provided trash service. If you have privately-provided service, please check with your hauler or community manager for your service details. Not sure about who provides your service? Use our Collection Day Lookup to find out, or call our Customer Service staff at 240-777-6410.

How to get yard trim decals

From our mailbag:

My neighbor has a label that he pasted on a big waste bin where he puts his garden waste. I use the disposable paper bags which rot out on the bottom if rained on. Where can I get a label such as the ones my neighbor has?

Your new yard trim decals are only a few clicks away; we offer them to you at no charge through our website. Then, watch for the envelope in your mail.

You may also order decals by phone from our Customer Service staff: 240-777-6410.

How may you recycle a riding mower?

From our mailbag:

Would you please inform me of the options for disposing of a riding mower.

Sure! We accept riding mowers at the Shady Grove Transfer Station. However, you must transport the mower there yourself.

Drain any remaining oil and fuel from the mower. Then, bring it to the scrap metal recycling area at the Transfer Station.

More details about our Scrap Metal program

Mark your recycling and trash containers with your house number

Our field staff receives many reports of missing recycling bins, and carts, and trash cans. The missing containers are often found next door or across the street.

The container might have been blown by wind, mistakenly put at a neighbor's curb by the collection crew, or taken in by a neighbor in error.

One simple action can help keep your containers at home: clearly marking them with your house number. Using a black permanent marker is an easy way to do this; stickers or paint are other options. Program Specialist Neil Einhorn suggests writing numbers at least three inches high.

Having your house number on your containers makes it easy to tell where they belong. It also identifies your recycling containers out of the group if you have a common neighborhood collection point.

Make it easy for your containers to find their way home keeps them available for your use. That also allows our field staff to work on resolving other issues for you.

Want higher-resolution copies of these photographs for use in your publication? Just let us know!

Share your enthusiasm for recycling in our Recycling Volunteer Program

Residents in the metropolitian Washington, DC, area volunteer in greater numbers and contribute more hours than the national average. That's according to a new report on volunteer habits, published by the Corporation for National and Community Service last week.

If you are interested in exploring -- or expanding -- your own volunteer activities, consider our Recycling Volunteer Program! We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year, many on weekends. These include positions for students and adults.

To learn more about our Recycling Volunteer Program, contact Ana Arriaza through our website or at 240-777-6445. Our next volunteer training is Saturday, July 21, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rockville.

We'll feature more information about our volunteers and their contributions to us and our community in future blog entries!

Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - Independence Day - modified schedules

Montgomery County-provided recycling and trash collections

Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - Independence Day - is a recycling and trash collection holiday. After the holiday, all County-provided recycling and trash collections will be one day later than normal.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

Shady Grove Transfer Station

• closed: Wednesday, July 4, 2007
• reopens: Thursday, July 5, 2007
• Transfer Station hours and other details

Please watch your weight... with your Transfer Station loads

Montgomery County residents are welcome to take trash from their homes to the Shady Grove Transfer Station. When you do this, please remember to watch your (load) weight. Residential trash loads must be under 500 pounds.

What if your trash load weighs more?

If your load exceeds this amount, we can accept it Monday through Saturday via the Truck Entrance on Shady Grove Road (it is closed on Sundays). This entrance has vehicle scales to measure your load weight. The fee schedule applies to loads 500 pounds and more, and is prorated for the actual weight of your trash.

Household Hazardous Waste collection in Bethesda - June 30, 2007

Our next Household Hazardous Waste community collection event is on Saturday, June 30, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location:
Westland Middle School
5511 Massachusetts Avenue (west of Little Falls Parkway)
Bethesda MD 20816

We have a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off facility at the Shady Grove Transfer Station. It is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Depending on where you live within the County, however, traveling out to the Transfer Station for drop-offs may not be convenient. We offer our community collection events to make proper disposal of your household hazardous products easier.

Want to receive email notices about our Household Hazardous Waste community collection event schedule? Subscribe to our email list for this topic.

Free paper shredding - Germantown - June 23, 2007

Have personal documents to shred? Bring them to the Upcounty Regional Services Center this coming Saturday!

• Bring up to two medium-sized boxes
• This event is for personal and paper items only

Location

Upcounty Regional Services Center
12900 Middlebrook Rd
Germantown MD 20874

Time

Saturday, June 23, 2007, 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Sponsors

• Upcounty Regional Services Center
• Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection
• All-Shred, Inc.

How to dispose of leftover latex paint

In my last post, I hinted that latex paint from your home projects could be easily disposed of at home.

Ideally, you'll use up all of the paint from your project (with the possible exception of a small amount for touch-ups), or you'll be able to give the remainder away. When neither is an option...

Simply dry up the remaining latex paint, and then put the solidified paint into your regular household trash. Allow small amounts to dry in a well-ventilated area. For larger amounts, use paint hardener, or alternatives like mulch, kitty litter, or shredded paper. (Detailed latex paint disposal instructions)

If the paint can is metal, we'll recycle it for you! After trash is burned in our waste-to-energy facility, a magnet pulls ferrous metals out of the remaining ash. That collected metal is then recycled.

Remember, please do not bring latex paint to our Household Hazardous Waste Collections, because it is not a hazardous material. However, leftover oil-based paint should always be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Paint giveaway mentioned on Craigslist

This morning, someone posted an "offer" for the free paint we have at the Shady Grove Transfer Station to the "free items" section of Craigslist. Thanks for the publicity!

The paint comes from residents who bring it to our Household Hazardous Waste drop-off program. Instead of disposing of it, we are pleased to offer the full cans we receive back to you for reuse.

Latex/water-based paint is not a hazardous waste. In fact, it is very expensive for us to handle it as such. We found that paint disposal was taking a significant amount of money from our hazardous waste budget. The free paint program is one way for us to more cost-effectively handle the paint brought to us. That leaves more money available for processing the materials which truly do need special disposal.

It's easy to dispose of the leftovers from your latex painting projects at home. Details to follow in my next post...

May flower pots and trays be recycled?

You've put the plants into your garden. It's time to clean up... can you recycle the plastic flower pots and trays? It's tempting... they've got the recycling arrows on them. But... please don't add them to your recycling bin.

We are able to accept all plastic bottles with necks. What about those pots and trays, then? Gardeners are often happy to take these for use with their own seedlings. Otherwise, please put these items into your household trash.

However, if a plastic bottle has held hazardous contents -- that purple bottle in the photo is labeled "Wasp & Hornet Killer" -- then please put the empty bottle into your household trash as well.

How to dispose of compact fluorescent light bulbs

Updated information posted November 20, 2008

From our mailbag:

Do electric light bulbs and fluorescent tubes go into the
recycling bin?

Thanks for asking! No, the only glass we accept in our curbside blue bin recycling program is that used for bottles and jars.

To dispose of incandescent ("regular") light bulbs, please wrap them in paper, and place them into your regular household trash. (Why put otherwise recyclable paper into the trash? Recycling as much as possible is important, but your safety and the collection crew's safety is even more important. Wrapping the bulb in paper helps prevent injury by containing the glass shards if the bulb breaks.)

To dispose of your compact fluorescent light bulbs, please take them to our Household Hazardous Waste drop-off sites, if this is practical for you. (They contain a small amount of mercury.) If it is not practical, please wrap and put the compact fluorescent bulb into your regular household trash, as you would an incandescent bulb.

What if a bulb breaks? The US EPA website has clean-up instructions for broken compact fluorescent light bulbs.

To help your household be prepared, I've updated our "How to Recycle/Dispose of: Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes" page with this information.

Will your collection day be affected by a holiday?

How do you know whether or not a holiday will affect your recycling and trash collection service?
Subscribe to our email announcement list or news feed to get the inside scoop on holiday service changes.

We generally send out our holiday reminder emails and update our news feed about one week prior to a holiday. We use the same channels to update subscribers about service changes due to snow, ice, and storms.

Confused by holiday collection information you've seen or read in the media? Sometimes it's incorrect. When you have questions, please ask! (Our website may have the answer to your question, too.)

Outstanding recyclers honored during Recycling Awareness Week

Today, our Recycling Awareness Week activity was a celebration!

We recognized 50 businesses, organizations and individuals, and 20 multi-family properties, property managers and individuals in the following categories:

* excellence in recycling for businesses and multi-family properties recycling more than 50 percent of their waste in 2006

* outstanding achievement for those businesses, employees, property owners/managers, and multi-family properties and individuals for their contributions to successful recycling, waste reduction, buying recycled and educational efforts.

Congratulations to all!

Recycling Section Chief Eileen Kao presents remarks at the ceremony.

Awardees enjoy lunch together at the Awards Ceremony.

Recycling tips were shared at information displays.

Poster content winners honored during Recycling Awareness Week

This evening, we presented awards to winners of Montgomery County Public School’s annual recycling poster contest “Our Earth is a Gift, Give it a Lift, Recycle!”

Up to five winners from each of six grade levels and up to five winners from each of two special categories were recognized at the awards reception.

The ceremony was hosted by the Division of Solid Waste Services.

We're celebrating Recycling Awareness Week from May 21 to 25, 2007

This week is National Public Works Week, relevant to us because we are in the Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation.

We in the Division of Solid Waste Service have additional cause for celebration this week, as we honor Recycling Awareness Week from May 21 to 25, 2007. Hats off to the outstanding recyclers and contest winners we're naming over the coming days!

Free mulch available in Silver Spring

UPDATE, April 3, 2013:
The Silver Spring Mulch Preserve is closed.  We continue to offer mulch in Derwood and Poolesville.  Visit our Neighborhood Mulch Preserve page for details.

Our "Neighborhood Mulch Preserve" in Silver Spring [link removed] is (re)opened for business! We had closed it for a few weeks while figuring out some restocking issues. Consider taking some of this mulch for your next project. And, did I mention that it's available at no charge? Come early and often; bring your own containers and shovels/pitchforks!

I heard the mulch is green... What you're offering looks pretty brown to me...

You're right: it is brown in color. It's called "green" because it's freshly-ground mulch. That's fine for applications like covering pathways. However, don't use it around your prized petunias until it's aged for at least a few months. Why not? Fresh mulch uses nitrogen as it decomposes. If spread around tender plants, the mulch would compete with them for that nitrogen, and chances are that the plants wouldn't fare so well.

What is the mulch made of?

The ingredients are simple: the brush Montgomery County residents set out for curbside pickup, and the brush delivered directly to the Shady Grove Transfer Station.

Where do I get your mulch?

Here are the details for the Silver Spring location. 


 

Visit Cloverly Day for yet another paper shredding opportunity

You "Talkin' Trash" readers are training me well! Because of your keen interest in paper shredding opportunities in our area, my eyes now perk up when I spy news of such events.

When I saw the announcement for Cloverly Day, and read that free paper shredding was one of the featured activities, I knew I had to find out more.

Here's the scoop on the details:
Cloverly Day
Saturday, April 28, 2007
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cloverly Towne Center (corner of Briggs Chaney Rd and New Hampshire Ave), Silver Spring

The paper shredding will be done by Shred-It, and is sponsored by BB&T Bank.

Related posts:

• how to prepare shredded paper for curbside collection in Montgomery County
  
• composting your shredded paper

National Public Works Week photo contest

A neighborhood street on which each driveway has blue bins and paper carts standing sentry at the driveway... a container brimming with colorful recyclables... a collection crew working in smooth rhythm, emptying bins as it goes along... These are some of the daily images on which we Division of Solid Waste Services folks feast our eyes!

What recycling and trash scenes and images capture your interest? Snap a photo, and enter it in the National Public Works Week photo contest, sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Public Works! The prizes are: first place - $100 U.S. Savings bond, second place - $75 bond, and third place - $50 bond.

From the press release:
"The theme for this year's content is “Public Works: Moving Life Forward,” and includes any public works operation such as road work, Ride On bus service, trash or recycling collections, or pedestrian safety improvements."

This contest is actually a two-fer: Entries in the National Public Works Week competition will automatically be entered in the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful Task Force photography contest, too.

Fire up your cameras! I look forward to seeing your entries!

Download National Public Works Week photo contest nomination form

Don't your paper shreds fly out of your compost pile?

So, if you add shredded paper to your compost pile, don't the shreds fly around?

Great question! Yes, they could. If the bin isn't full to the top, I've found that the shreds tend to stay inside. Sprinkling a little water on top of the shreds [using water from your rain barrel, of course :-) ] helps to keep fly-away shreds in place as well.

Composting = another way to recycle shredded paper

We've covered taking your personal papers to a Community Shred event and how to prepare documents you shred at home for curbside recycling collection. Now, let's take that even closer to home: your backyard!

What is paper but another carbon source for the bacteria and other decomposer-critters in your compost pile? Let paper shreds be another part of their well-rounded diet!

Once the shreds decompose, your personal information -- be it your Social Security number, your bank or brokerage account numbers, your name, address, and phone number and more -- will all be indistinguishable from the rich, dark compost.

The shreds are a nice balance to the "greens" (nitrogen-rich material) you put into your compost pile, like the winter weeds you may be pulling on these warm Spring days. And, there's a certain satisfaction in knowing that bills, financial statements, and the like will find additional use in nurturing the soil in your garden.

Celebrate Earth Day with us on April 21, 2007

Celebrate Earth Day with us in Rockville, Maryland!

The fine print:
April 21, 2007
11:00 am to 3:00 pm, rain or shine!
850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Maryland
(on the parking lot at the intersection of Route 355 and Mannakee Street)

Planned activities for the day include opportunities to:

• Take a tour of the Recycling Center
  • Tour buses will arrive/depart 850 Hungerford Drive every 15 minutes
• See energy-efficient vehicles
• Great family entertainment
• Make earth-friendly crafts
• Refreshments available
• Learn more about:
  • Recycling
  • Waste reduction
  • Buying recycled products
  • Environmentally-friendly homes & landscaping

Typically, the Recycling Center is open only on weekdays. So, grab this rare weekend opportunity to see how your blue bin items are separated by material before being sent out to processors.

Download Earth Day flier (PDF, 164 kb)

May I recycle cardboard soda can cases?

From our mailbag:

Should plastic coated cardboard (ex.: cases for soda cans) be placed in the blue bins?

Thanks for asking, R.M.! What looks like a plastic coating on those soda can cases is probably a thin clay coating. (Clay?! Yes, it is helpful in creating higher-quality printing.)

Yes, please do recycle your soda can cases in Montgomery County's paper recycling collection. If you use a wheeled cart for your paper, just toss in the cases with your other recyclable paper items -- no bundling or tying required! If you don't use a cart, add the cases to your bundled paper, and then set the bundle(s) on top of or next to your blue bins or blue can.

The cardboard cases -- and all other paper -- must be bundled or tied before you place them into a blue bin or blue can. Why? Our collection and sorting processes handle paper separately from the cans, bottles, and jars you recycle in your blue bins and cans. When your paper is bundled or tied, the collection crew is able to grab it easily, and to toss it into the paper compartment of the truck.

How to recycle shredded paper at home

Community Shred events and the services offered by document destruction companies are but one tool for handling your sensitive documents.

Many of us now have shredders at home. (We also know that some households have, ahem, manual shredding services -- often accidental -- in the form of the youngest family members... ) Those shreds are accepted in Montgomery County's curbside paper recycling program.

The challenge for you -- and for us -- is to keep the shreds from becoming confetti in your neighborhood as your paper awaits pickup at the curb, and as it's loaded into the truck.

One easy way to contain shredded paper is to put it into a paper bag or cardboard box.

If you use one of our wheeled paper recycling carts, simply "sandwich" your shreds between non-shredded paper so that these are neither at the very bottom nor at the very top of your cart.

There's one more entry to come in this mini-series on shredded paper... Stay tuned!

Safe & Secure Community Shred in Gaithersburg on March 31, 2007

I know many of you blog visitors are interested in finding paper shredding, or document destruction, opportunities...

The next NBC4 Safe & Secure Community Shred event will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2007, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in two locations: Gaithersburg, MD and Chantilly, VA.

This free event will accept up to 5 boxes of your personal papers -- no business or commercial items, please. Details about accepted material and the Community Shred program

Here's the Gaithersburg information:

Gaithersburg Mercantile Potomac Bank
702 Russell Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
map for this location

Next in this series:

• how to prepare shredded paper for curbside collection
• composting your shredded paper
  

King County, WA, has new EcoConsumer blog

Tom Watson, in King County, Washington, lead a program called EcoConsumer. What's an EcoConsumer?

"EcoConsumer = A natural balance of consuming and conserving..."

And now, Tom's writing the EcoConsumer Blog! Among his recent entries, a review of EcoHangers, "Do Not Mail" bills (one's under consideration here in Maryland), and an EcoConsumer's Bill of Rights.

New Federal Guidelines for Disposal of Prescription Drugs

On Tuesday, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release announcing new guidelines for proper disposal of prescription drugs.

The webpage with the guideline details includes a video clip demonstrating one way to prepare no-longer-needed drugs for disposal.

The guidelines recommend checking for local community take-back programs for prescription drugs -- the Division of Solid Waste Services does not offer this, and I am not aware of any other take-back opportunities in the greater Washington, DC, area. (If you do, please let me know!)

Our instructions for prescription drug disposal -- which mirror the Federal ones -- are on our website. We also have a few medicine recycling organizations included in our Use It Again guide.

Please remember to avoid "sea burial" in your toilet or sink for most medications. Why? Because it's best to keep those drugs out of our waste water stream, and ultimately our environment.

How to dispose of Car Seats / Child Safety Seats

Not long ago, we received two emails in one week about how to dispose of car seats. I took that as a sign... indicating that this information needed to be posted to our website.

And, after wonderful collaboration with the Montgomery County Child Passenger Safety Program, we now have just that, "hot off the press": our instructions for how to dispose of a car seat / child safety seat in Montgomery County.

Coincidentally, in checking the links on our new page, I discovered that February 11-17, 2007, is Child Passenger Safety Week, so our information addition is timely!

New "Furniture Exchange" Program offers at-home pickup

When you've got furniture you would like to donate, getting a vehicle large enough to transport it can be a limiting factor...

That's why our new partnership with Community Ministry of Montgomery County should be helpful to you. Through the Furniture Exchange, you can bring your no-longer-needed items directly to the program warehouse, or... request a pickup from your home!

From a Community Ministry newsletter (italics mine):

CMMC’s Furniture Exchange is now operating out of its new warehouse at 12221 Parklawn Drive in Rockville. Clients can shop for their own furniture, from among the stock we have on hand, and schedule their own deliveries with our Client Services Manager. Shopping hours are Fridays from 9:00A to 12:00N. Call 301-468-4830 to learn more about our new program guidelines or visit us on the web at SHAREmc.com. As always, we are in need of gently used beds of all sizes, dressers, sofas, loveseats, kitchen tables and chairs, dining room tables and chairs, cribs, and desks. Your beautiful, unwanted furniture can make a great difference to someone in need. Offer your donations at SHAREmc.com.

Additional tips: We list additional furniture reuse programs in our Use It Again guide. And, our very active local Freecycle Network groups remain another great way to give new life to used furniture.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection: Silver Spring, May 19, 2007

We've announced our first community Household Hazardous Waste collection event for 2007!

This collection will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m:

• Saturday, May 19, 2007: Silver Spring
  Silver Spring International Middle School
  313 Wayne Ave, Silver Spring
  (Dale Dr. & Wayne Ave.)

Updated 2/16/07: we've now got a collection on Saturday, June 30, 2007, too! It will be held at Westland Middle School, 5511 Massachusetts Avenue (west of Little Falls Parkway) ,
Bethesda

Reminder: the Shady Grove Transfer Station has a permanent HHW receiving area, open year-round, daily, 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Prepare for your trip to our Transfer Station

Because we want you to know about our regulations for using our Shady Grove Solid Waste Transfer Station before you've carefully loaded your materials into your vehicle and made the drive over...

Check out the Public Unloading Facility Regulations (for trash drop-off) we just posted to our website. Find out which trucks are allowed when, trailer use, and more.

Did we leave your question about using the Transfer Station unanswered? Let me know -- I'll work on getting the answer included on this page.

Praise for a collection crew

I spotted this compliment for a Kensington recycling crew in the Washington Post's Metro section today:

Not only are they about the hardest-working people I've seen in a long time, but they also are conscientious about doing a good job at one of the least-glamorous tasks there is.

Thanks, Mr. Schaper, for your kind words to your neighborhood crew. We agree!

Molded plastic fruit packaging: trash or treasure?

Our field staff are out and about on each collection day. As they walk and drive through neighborhoods, they see the contents of many, many recycling bins.

I received this photo from a field colleague who's seeing a lot of this molded plastic packaging set out in blue bins right now. This packaging style is often used in warehouse stores, and generally holds fruit like apples and oranges.

Thank you for your enthusiasm in adding this item to your blue bins! Unfortunately, we cannot accept these molded plastics in our recycling program.

So, what should you do with this tray packaging? At this time of year, it might be ideal for storing the holiday decorations you're putting away for the next season. Your household is likely to have some other creative reuses, too.

And, if you don't have a reuse for the packaging, please put it into your household trash.

How might I recycle old Christmas lights?

Updated holiday light recycling information posted November 10, 2010

From our mailbag:

Just wondering how i might recycle old christmas lights? (C9 size)

Thanks for your question! A few moments on Google showed that these are the familiar strings of holiday lights.

Sorry, none of our Montgomery County, MD, recycling programs accept these light strings. If the strings are broken, please dispose of them in your regular household trash.

If they still work, consider offering them on your local Freecycle Network group for reuse. Lots of Christmas lights have already exchanged hands, and yours are likely to find a new home in short order as well. That's even better than reycling them!

January 15, 2007: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day - normal collection schedule

Monday, January 15, 2007 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day - is a regular recycling and trash collection day. All County-provided recycling and trash collections will be made on their normal schedule.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. The texts of his Acceptance Speech and Nobel Lecture are online.)

From the Transfer Station to the Waste-to-Energy Facility

I previously left you hanging with the question: Where does the trash go after it leaves the Transfer Station?

After waste leaves our Shady Grove Solid Waste Transfer Station, it travels by rail to our Resource Recovery Facility in Dickerson, Maryland.

Waste-to-energy is a process which combusts waste at extremely high temperatures, and converts the stored internal energy of waste into usable energy, such as steam or electricity.

Montgomery County's facility typically operates at temperatures above 2000°F, thereby destroying pathogens, bacteria and toxins. It reduces the volume of waste approximately 90 percent. Electricity generated is sold to offset the costs of operation.

Tour the Resource Recovery Facility

May I recycle Clementine boxes?

The clementines were tasty, but what's to be done with the now-empty box?!

Sorry, in Montgomery County, MD, we do not recycle the wooden boxes in which these delectable citrus fruits are packaged; please dispose of them in your household trash.

The boxes are sturdy, so some people use them for crafts or storage. Others turn them into kindling.

[And if you, like me, now have the tune to "Clementine" buzzing through your head after thinking about this topic, here are the lyrics: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/clementine.htm]

Thanks to "Talkin' Trash" reader, J., who reminded me about this topic!

Before you recycle your cell phone, erase your data

Before you donate your computer, you wipe the hard drive clean of its data.
Before you toss your personal documents into the recycling bin, you shred them.
What do you do before you recycle or donate your cell phone?

Consider using the Cell Phone Data Eraser to get instructions for clearing your phone of its personal information before you pass the phone along.

A "Dump" and "Transfer Station" are not the same thing

Folks often refer to our Shady Grove Solid Waste Transfer Station as "the dump." In fact, transfer stations and dumps (or landfills) are different types of facilities.

Our Transfer Station is literally just a transfer point. Trash gets delivered to us in (comparatively) little trucks, and gets reloaded into bigger shipping containers.

By law, the Transfer Station's "tipping floor" (where the trash gets unloaded as it's brought to us) must be cleaned out before the next day's operations begin. That usually takes a few hours after the tipping floor closes for the day. However, after busy days, this work can take well into the night to accomplish.

Where does the trash go after it leaves the Transfer Station? Keep following our blog, Gentle Readers! :-)

More about waste transfer stations from the US EPA

May I take things from the Transfer Station?

From our mail bag:

"I was at the Shady Grove dump this weekend dropping off trash and I asked one of the workers if I could remove a wheel off of a bicycle that was being thrown away. He said that I could not remove anything from the dump because it belongs to Montgomery County..."

Correct. Sorry, but once a County resident or business brings an item to the Shady Grove Transfer Station, you may not claim it for yourself.

From the Code of Maryland Regulations 26.04.07.03: "Scavenging or salvaging may not be conducted at any system of refuse disposal for public use..."

Why not? Our Transfer Station staff explains:

"The 'no scavenging' requirement is designed for public safety. While picking up a bicycle wheel may seem insignificant, if scavenging were allowed, people could potentially put themselves in danger climbing on scrap metal, walking behind a pile of waste being moved by a loader or simply adding to the number of pedestrians in an area that already has a lot of traffic and a lot of impatient people who do not drive as slowly as they should to watch out for others."

So, where can you look for a sought-for item? Consider asking your local Freecycle Network members whether they have one to give away.

P.S. The facility is a transfer station, rather than a dump. :-) More on that in a future entry...

Deep-fry your Thanksgiving turkey? How to dispose of the cooking oil...

Ok, so after you enjoy your deep-fried Thanksgiving turkey, how do you dispose of the cooking oil?

Why, you can simply bring it to us at the Shady Grove Transfer Station! We now accept up to five gallons of vegetable/cooking oil per visit. Please hand your oil to one of the attendants in the Recycling area. They will then pour it into the proper collection container.

What happens to your oil? It gets reused. Some is turned into animal feed, and some finds new life in biodiesel fuel. It's also possible to run vehicles off of straight vegetable oil!

Christmas tree recycling offered December 26, 2006, through February 2, 2007

Wow! We haven't seen any Christmas trees for sale yet, but we've already gotten our first inquiries of the season about recycling them. Just in case you get this question, too, I want you to be prepared with the answer:

In Montgomery County, this year's Christmas tree recycling collections will be made from December 26, 2006 through February 2, 2007. After this date, Christmas trees will continue to be collected, but they must be prepared according to our yard trim guidelines.

What's special about the tree collection program?

It allows you to put your tree out at the curb for collection as-is. (During the rest of the year, you must cut trees and branches to 4-foot lengths, and bundle all of the pieces together.)

November 23, 2006: Thanksgiving Day Holiday - modified collection schedule

Thursday, November 23, 2006, Thanksgiving Day, is a recycling and trash holiday. All County-provided recycling and trash collections will be one day later than normal.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

• Thursday, 11/23/06, Enjoy the holiday!
  
• Friday, 11/24/06, Thursday's collections
• Saturday, 11/25/06, Friday's collections

Thanksgiving Holiday - Transfer Station closed November 23, 2006

The Shady Grove Transfer Station will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, 2006 .

Planning a trip to the Transfer Station that weekend? Here's an insider tip: The Friday and weekend after Thanksgiving are extremely busy. Avoid long lines by coming during the off-peak hours: early in the morning or late in the day.

Today is America Recycles Day

November 15 is America Recycles Day. Its goal is to promote recycling, and things made with recycled content.

Getting items out of the waste stream and into your blue bin is only part of the solution... Recycling helps save natural resources when products are made from "old" materials rather than from "new" ones. For this to be successful, manufacturers need to have customers for their recycled-content products. So, vote with your dollars to show your support of recycling by choosing recycled-content products when these meet your needs.

What are some of these nifty items made from things you recycle in your blue bin? Take a look at this sampling of recycled-content products.

Pledge to recycle and enter the America Recycles Day contest. Visit our website for a refresher on what to put into your blue bin and tips on recycling and donating a host of other materials.

And, of course, don't forget about those other two important waste-related "R's": reduce and reuse!

Paint Giveaway ends for the winter season

We've closed our popular paint giveaway at the Shady Grove Transfer Station for the winter months.

Why?

Freezing temperatures damage latex paint. Because our Household Hazardous Waste drop-off (the home of our paint giveaway program) is not insulated, the material we receive and store there is subject to freezing and thawing over the winter. So, before we give you bad paint, we'd rather suspend the giveaway for a few months.

What if your paint freezes at home?

Your paint may still be salvagable. Check out The Family Handyman for advice on using latex paint that's been frozen, complete with a photo!

Nov. 11, Veterans' Day: Normal collection schedule

Friday, November 10, 2006, Veterans' Day is a regular recycling and trash collection day. All County-provided recycling and trash collections will be made on their normal schedule.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

Business Recycling Seminars, Nov. 16 and Dec. 5, 2006

Business Recycling: What Executive Regulations 15-04AM and 18-04 Mean for Your Business

This seminar is designed to help you implement the necessary changes to ensure that your organization is in compliance with the revised recycling requirements that were enacted on February 8, 2005.

Who should attend:

business owners, managers, recycling coordinators, property managers, and collectors/haulers.

Topics include:

• Additional materials that must be recycled by businesses
• Roles and responsibilities for all parties involved
• How Montgomery County can help your business
• How to file the required recycling and waste reduction report

Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sign language interpreter services will be provided upon request with notice as far in advance as possible but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If you need other services or aids to participate in the activity, please call Gabriela Monzon-Reynolds at 240-777-6400 or 240-777-6442 (TTY). Taking these steps will help us have sufficient time to best meet your needs.

Seminar dates and locations:

• Thursday, November 16, 2006, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center
  5701 Marinelli Road
  North Bethesda, MD 20852
  • RSVP by Friday, November 10, 2006
• Tuesday, December 5, 2006, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
  9751 Washingtonian Boulevard
  Gaithersburg, MD 20878
  • RSVP by Wednesday, November 29, 2006

How to Register:

Register online, or call 240-899-2222.

Leaf vacuuming begins November 6, 2006

Leaf vacuuming is done by the Highway Maintenance Section, one of our sister divisions/sections within the County's Department of Public Works and Transportation.

The Vacuum Leaf Collection Program for 2006 will begin on Monday, November 6, 2006. The Highway Maintenance website will be updated to help you track crews' progress.

Vacuum Leaf Collection Program details and weekly updates

How should you prepare your leaves for vacuum pickup?

Some tips from Highway Maintenance:

• Leaves should be placed in piles or containers on the grass or behind the curb. Placing leaves in streets or alleys can disrupt traffic and surface drainage, hamper snow removal operations or pose a fire hazard to automobiles parked over them.
• Collections are restricted to leaves only. Sticks, branches or coarse garden debris should be placed in containers or tied in bundles not more than four feet long and placed where household trash is regularly picked up.

What if you miss your vacuum collections, or if vacuuming is not available in your neighborhood?

The Division of Solid Waste Services continues to provide year-round collection of leaves, grass, and brush each week on your recycling day. See details on our website: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/yardtrim

Join us at a Neighborhood Chat - Oct. 30 or Nov. 2

• Learn the latest about recycling collection
• Find out how to request collection services
• Give back to your neighborhood

Attend one of our Neighborhood Chats to meet the Division of Solid Waste Services’ Community Outreach Program Specialists, and to join forces with like-minded County residents.

Chat dates:

• Monday, Oct. 30, 2006, 7:30 p.m., Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda
• Thursday, November 2, 2006, 7:30 p.m., Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave, Wheaton

Reserve your seat today:
Contact us at 301-840-2856 or jim.fustero@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off: Hours extended at Transfer Station

The Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off at the Shady Grove Transfer Station is now open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.!

Need paint for a project? Remember that this Drop-off offers you free paint!

Can you recycle Altoids tins?

From our email "bag":

I have recently been buying Altoids. I especially like licorice flavor ones. I was accumulating a few cans, thinking that they would make a nice storage container. After stacking up about 5 of them, I decided to toss them in the recycling bin. If they are not recyclable please give me some thoughts on how to dispose of them.

Thanks for your question! I did some sleuthing for you, and... you've been doing the right thing! Enjoy the mints and candies, and when the tin is empty, simply drop it into your blue bin for recycling.

Leaf vacuuming begins November 6, 2006

Many residents think the Division of Solid Waste Services provides their leaf vacuuming in the Fall. Sorry, we don't! The leaf vacuuming is done by our good colleagues in the Highway Maintenance Section.

Highway Maintenance announced that this year's vacuuming begins on Monday, November 6, 2006. The collections are anticipated to run through mid-December. (The end-date is always weather-permitting!)

What's the difference between the Highway Maintenance and the Division of Solid Waste Services leaf collections?

• In the Highway Maintenance program, leaves must be raked to the curb in time for the posted collection date - no bagging required. Leaf vacuuming details - including a service area map and collection status reports.
• The Division of Solid Waste Services' yard trim collection includes leaves, grass, and brush. Pickups are made weekly on your recycling day, all year round. Leaves set out for this collection must be in large paper bags or in reusable, labeled containers (like trash cans). Curbside yard trim collection details
  

October 9, Columbus Day - normal schedule

Monday, October 9, 2006, Columbus Day is a regular recycling and trash collection day. All County-provided recycling and trash collections will be made on their normal schedule.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

Safe & Secure Community Shred - Sept. 30, 2006

Consider the Safe & Secure Community Shred for those personal papers you've been concerned about putting into your weekly paper recycling collection.

Bring up to 5 boxes of personal papers -- staples and paper clips do not need to be removed! -- on Saturday, September 30, 2006, from 8 a.m. to Noon. Event details

The Montgomery County location is:
Mercantile Potomac Bank
260 East Jefferson St.
Rockville, MD 20850

We went to the polls with our literature, too

Most of the flyers and brochures available as you make your way into your polling place on Election Day urge to you support this or that candidate.

For Tuesday's primary elections, some of our staff hung out their shingle for voters as well. As folks came to cast their vote, many stopped to chat with us, learn about recycling, waste reduction, and what to do with their trash.

Based on Tuesday's success, look for us outside polling places in November!

Invite us to your next community event -- we're happy to join you.

Can I recycle Tyvek® envelopes into my blue bin?

From our electronic mailbag:

We frequently get mail packaged in so-called "Tyvek" envelopes. The U.S. Postal Services gives away Priority Mail envelopes made of Tyvek. These Tyvek envelopes are marked with the recycling triangle enclosing the number "2" and are marked HDPE (high density polyethylene). My question is: Can "Tyvek" envelopes be recycled in the blue bin for cans, bottles and No. 2 recyclable containers?

The answer is "yes"! While we don't accept Tyvek® envelopes in our blue bin program, you may send them in to be recycled. If you receive these envelopes, check out this Tyvek® envelope recycling option.

Thanks for your question, R.!

- - - - -

Update - April 30, 2010

Comment received from L:

I did a google search for "is tyvek recyclable" and found your blog... took me straight to their website where I was able to find the information (link was outdated), but at least it let me know it was there! Thank you, thank you!

Thanks for your feedback, L! I have updated the link.

Why a bulk trash pickup didn't include the bedframe

From our electronic mailbag:

"I left an old mattress, boxspring, and bedframe (separated into 2 pieces) out on my regular collection day. The mattress and boxspring were taken but the frame was left. Aren't these items supposed to be picked up as well?"

Sorry, the bedframe was probably left behind intentionally when your bulk trash collection was made. Why?!

Here are two potential answers:

1. Did you schedule a scrap metal recycling pickup for the bedframe? The mattress and boxspring are trash. But, the bedframe is metal, and will therefore not be taken by the trash crew. Scrap metal collections are made on your regular collection day. But, the truck only comes to you by request.
2. Did you include the bedframe on your itemized list when you requested the pickup? We want to help make sure that crews pick up only what you want them to take. So, we ask that they carefully follow the list of items you provide when you schedule the collection. If it's not on the list, it won't be included.

Request a scrap metal recycling collection through our website: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/scrapmetal

What types of plastic bags are recyclable at grocery stores?

Excepted from a post on CafeMontgomery (a local treasure trove of all sorts of community information!):

...what type of plastic is allowed in the recycling bins at the grocery stores?

I was just cutting the paper labels off some clean, dry bags, and realized that they feel very different from one another, and that some have numbers and a recycling symbol and others don't...( I found 1, 2, 4, and 5!)

...so please, tell me what I should be doing!

Many of the collected grocery bags end up going to Trex, a company which turns grocery bags, stretch films (like the kind used to wrap loaded shipping pallets), and waste wood into recycled plastic decking, railings, fencing, and landscape edging.

Here are the Trex specifications for the grocery bags they accept: http://www.trex.com/Suppliers/grocery.asp

In a nutshell, they want bags made from polyethylene, which is resin #4.

A quick tipsheet for interpreting those other resins mentioned in the specifications:
PVC: resin #3
polystyrene: resin #6
polyurethane foam: if labeled at all, should be resin #7
polypropylene: resin #5
PET: #1

Thanks, M. -- great question!

Bookcrossing - another way to reuse books!

From our mail bag...

I recently read the piece from the July newsletter about recycling books. You did say, it was good to re-use them and one resource you may or may not be aware of is the Bookcrossing program.

To see what it’s all about, go to www.bookcrossing.com and it will explain the program. Basically, it involves leaving books that you’ve read (and don’t intend to keep) in public places where they can be picked up by other book lovers. There’s more to it, like “joining” Bookcrossing and registering the book, but the outcome is that books get passed along and not discarded.

Just sharing another possible course of action re: keeping books out of the trash.

Thanks, B., for sharing this resource, and for adding to our list of book reuse opportunities!

Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2006 - modified collection schedule

Monday, September 4, 2006, Labor Day, is a recycling and trash holiday. All County-provided recycling and trash collections will be one day later than normal.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

• Monday, 9/4/06, Labor Day: no County-provided collections
  
• Tuesday, 9/5/06, Monday's collections
  
• Wednesday, 9/6/06, Tuesday's collections
• Thursday, 9/7/06, Wednesday's collections
• Friday, 9/8/06, Thursday's collections
• Saturday, 9/9/06, Friday's collections

Shady Grove Transfer Station:

• closed: Monday, 9/4/2006.
• reopens with normal hours: Tuesday, 9/5/2006.

Added 9/1/06: Normal hours at our Beauty Spots on Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3, 2006.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection: November 4, Silver Spring

Our second "satellite" Household Hazardous Waste collection event will be at the Silver Spring International Middle School, November 4, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: 313 Wayne Ave (Dale Dr. and Wayne Ave.), Silver Spring.

Categories: News_

Household Hazardous Waste Collection: October 14, 2006, Bethesda

Just announced: we'll hold a Household Hazardous Waste collection event at the Westland Middle School on Saturday, October 14, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: 5511 Massachusetts Avenue (west of Little Falls Parkway), Bethesda MD 20816.

Reminder: Latex paint is not a hazardous waste. Just dry it up, and then put the can into your regular household trash.

Need paint? We've got free paint available at the Shady Grove Transfer Station! Our "inventory" changes daily!

Categories: News_

"Builders' Recycling Guide" for construction and demolition materials

Our Use It Again guide to repair, rental, and reuse opportunities in the Montgomery County area has long been popular among our residents and other wishing to find options for their household items.

Now, there's a new tool for another category of items: construction and demolition material! Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Builders' Recycling Guide should be a very helpful aid for the building industry -- as well as residents who have materials from do-it-yourself projects.

Categories: Recycling_

Scrap metal collection = curbside convenience

Need to get rid of an appliance, swing set, bicycle, metal shed, or other large metal item? What you *don't* need to do is worry about how to load it into a vehicle and get it to the Shady Grove Transfer Station. Of course, we will be happy to accept your metal items there. But,...

We'll come to *you* to pick up your scrap metal items! Simply request a scrap metal recycling collection, and then set the item(s) at your curb on the scheduled day.

For details about our scrap metal recycling program, and to request a collection:
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/scrapmetal

Concrete, Asphalt, Dirt, Stumps, and more: Not on Sundays, please

Did you know that the Shady Grove Transfer Station accepts concrete, asphalt, dirt, stumps, and similar bulky materials? You may bring these materials for disposal Monday through Saturday. Please use the Truck Entrance on Shady Grove Road.

Why not on Sundays? Even small amounts of these materials can weigh a lot. That's why all vehicles bringing them must go over the Transfer Station scales. And, the scales are located at the Truck Entrance.

What does it cost? There's no fee for loads of trash weighing up to 499 pounds. The fee schedule applies to loads weighing 500 pounds or more.

Shady Grove Transfer Station hours and fees

Categories: Trash_

Why it's so important to dry out your paint before disposal

The best thing to do with leftover or no-longer-needed paint is to put it to use. If you can't use it yourself, give it to someone else.

If that's not possible, dispose of latex (water-based) paint in your regular household trash. We've got how-to instructions on our website.

Making sure that the paint is completely solidified before you set it out for trash collection is critical. Paint spills are very challenging to clean up.

(Reminder: it's only oil-based paint which must be disposed of as household hazardous waste. If the oil-based paint is from your business, consider our Ecowise program for small-quantity generators.)

Categories: Trash_

Newsletter Helper: Book recycling

Now you may simply recycle your hardback books by tossing them into your curbside paper recycling collection. Read more in the July 2006 Newsletter Helper!

Categories: Newsletter Helper_, Recycling_

Reuse for no-longer-needed medications

Have unused or no-longer-needed prescription medications? There are a number of organizations which collect these items for medicine recycling (also called drug recycling).

Here are two organizations which accept medications used for managing HIV. AND –- they also take drugs used to treat secondary conditions, such as antibiotics, antifungals, anti-emetics, and more.

• www.aidforaids.org/donate_faqs.php
• www.thestarfishproject.org/donate.cfm

Know of any local medicine recycling programs? I'd be happy to add them to our resource list.

Addition: just found this one: www.madre.org/programs/ha/medicalproject_wish.html

Categories: Recycling_

July 4, 2006 - modified collection schedule

Tuesday, July 4, 2006, Independence Day, is a recycling and trash holiday. All County-provided recycling and trash collections will be one day later than normal.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

• Monday, 7/3/06, normal collection schedule
• Tuesday, 7/4/06, Independence Day: best wishes for the holiday!
• Wednesday, 7/5/06, Tuesday's collections
• Thursday, 7/6/06, Wednesday's collections
• Friday, 7/7/06, Thursday's collections
• Saturday, 7/8/06, Friday's collections

Shady Grove Transfer Station:

• closed: Tuesday, 7/4/2006.
• reopens with normal hours: Wednesday, 7/5/2006.

Categories: News_

Dispose of water- and flood-damaged items

Have these heavy rains left your household with rain- or flood-damaged items?

We have disposal instructions on our website.

Metal cans: to cut or not to cut off the lid

Yesterday, a resident wrote:

I use a hand-operated can opener, and usually open the can about 90 percent and pour out the contents so that the lid doesn't splash down.

Should I continue cranking until the lid separates, and throw the lid away?

Or should I leave the lid attached and carefully bend it back so that no sharp edges protrude?

Both lid-opening options are fine for recycling metal cans. But, please give us the lid in either case. If you cut the lid off completely, the safest thing is to tuck it inside the can, and to gently pinch the can's opening to trap the lid inside. Then, put the can into your blue bin for collection.

Categories: Cans_, Recycling_

Glass: no Corningware, please

This offer was posted to a local Freecycle list:

I broke my favorite large Corningware casserole dish, but the glass lid survived. If you need one, it's here until next glass recycling day.

Thanks to this person for thinking that glass = recycling! The only thing is that if this lid doesn't find a Taker, it should be disposed of as trash rather than a "blue bin recyclable."

In Montgomery County, our curbside recycling program accepts only glass bottles and jars.

What's wrong with that lid? The heat-resistant properties which make it so convenient for baking cause problems when the lid is mixed in with the "regular" bottle and jar glass.

Categories: Glass_, Recycling_

It's just a trash can - Part II

The trash can from yesterday's entry was filled with leftovers from a construction project. The bag on top of the can's contents was a sack of cement.

Our weight limit for trash cans is 45 pounds. This one tipped the scales at 150 pounds. As a result, it was tagged with an orange sticker, and the crew left it behind.

What were the can owner's options at this point? The can's contents could have been self-hauled to the Shady Grove Transfer Station for disposal. Or, the material could have been set out for collection the following week, repackaged in smaller containers weighing up to 45 pounds each.

Categories: Seen at the curb_, Trash_

It's just a trash can, right?

Returning to our "What's wrong with this picture?" series... what's the matter with this trash can? Why could its contents not be collected on the day the can was set out at the curb?

Stay tuned... answer to come!

Categories: Seen at the curb_, Trash_