New landfills provide space to bury refuse. Communities will need new landfill space when the landfill capacity is used. Landfills are necessary to manage our waste, but they do not solve the problem for all time. We will need to continue to be environmentally aware and conserve resources.

Recycling is one way to minimize waste, but it does not start with empty cans, bottles, used paper, etc. It really starts when you make decisions to shop wisely. Making an effort to consciously avoid triple-wrapped foods, throw away containers and items whose package is made of nonrenewable resources is an effective measure we can take in minimizing excessive waste.

We can all agree that recycling makes good environmental sense. It also makes good monetary sense. By diverting waste to recycling markets, the county not only collects a modest income, but also realizes savings in operational and development costs. This benefits us all by helping to keep our disposal fees reasonable and minimize the amount of tax dollars that must be devoted to solid waste disposal activities.

Although recycling is completely voluntary, Garrett County Solid Waste & Recycling supports and encourages recycling efforts through education, marketing and the collection of materials. In fact, the County is poised to take advantage of the fluxes in the recycling market. The County recently changed the way bids are solicited for recyclable materials collected by the county. Instead of awarding yearly contracts, the county now requests monthly bids for aluminum beverage cans, cardboard, glass, newsprint, mixed scrap metal, #1 PET Plastic, HDPE #2 Plastic, asssorted office paper and magazines. Contracts are awarded based on the greatest economic benefit to the county after preparation and transportation costs are taken into account. Although the county loses money on some items like glass, the mixed scrap metal market has remained steady.

No sticker is required for those who only bring recyclable materials to the collection facilities or to the landfill. Although recycling is free, please do so with care. Placing contaminants into containers used for recycling can ruin an entire load of recyclable goods, potentially resulting in its disposal at the landfill. Never assume anything. Always check with the attendant on duty prior to recycling.

What to Recycle and Where?