Germantown Residents Pledge to Recycle

Germantown residents participated in recycling awareness yesterday by pledging their commitment to recycling at a booth outside of Kohl's in Germantown. In honor of Monday's America Recycles Day, the County's Division of Solid Waste (DHS) Services manned seven booths throughout the County yesterday to increase recycling awareness. 

Resident signed pledge cards stating that they would buy more recycled-content products, increase their personal recycling, and recycling-related, activities. Pledge card were then entered into the America Recycles Day Contest. Prizes included a $300 gift certificates to bicycle shop and a $500 students grant to create an environmental program. 

Leslie Wilcox, Program Specialist for Montgomery County Business Recycling Section was at   table in Germantown.

Wilcox said that while most businesses and resident are used to the recycling program, many people are unaware of which bins to use for recycling different items. 

The Kohl's informational table was one of seven tables located throughout the County yesterday dedicated to "making recycling work in the community." Other recycling information tables were in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Burtonsville.

The information table also provided various pieces of literature including the County's recycling collection handbook, recycling guidelines and recycling basics. Through DHS, residents can recycle a variety of items including cans and foil products, plastic bottles and containers and the two newest items – waxed coated cardboard & non-toxic aerosol cans, which are "now recyclable" in Montgomery County, according to Wilcox.

Montgomery County's recycling rate has been slowly increasing from 41 percent in 2005 to 44.2 percent in 2009.

 America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to recycling awareness. Montgomery County's approach towards America Recycles Day is "to increase the awareness of how and why we recycle" stated Wilcox.

Montgomery County America Recycles Day events for Sunday and Monday include: 

Paper Shredding/Recycling and Donation Drop-offs
   Sunday, November 14, 2010, 12:00 to 4:00 pm
   Montgomery Blair High School
   51 University Blvd East (Colesville Road parking lot)
   Silver Spring, MD 20901 

Information Tables
   Sunday, November 14, 2010, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
   Korean Korner
   12207 Veirs Mill Rd
   Silver Spring, MD 20906

   Sunday, November 14, 2010, 12:00 to 3:00 pm
   Safeway
   3333 Spartan Rd
   Olney, MD 20832

   Monday, November 15, 2010, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm
   Ten Thousand Villages
   The Row at Rockville Town Square
   107 Gibbs Street, Unit D
   Rockville, MD  20850

Visit the County Website to find out more about the County's America Recycles Day activities.