Garrett County Solid Waste News and Updates
Compact Fluorescent Bulb and Lamp Recycling Program
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are an important tool in the efforts to reduce energy use, which benefits air and water quality and addresses climate change.
CFL bulbs contain up to 5 milligrams of mercury, the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen, as compared to older home thermostats and mercury fever thermometers, which contain between 500 to 30,000 milligrams of mercury.
The Garrett County Solid Waste & Recycling Division urges it’s residents to use care when handling CFLs for disposal by screwing and unscrewing the bulbs by the base. CFL bulbs and lamps can be currently disposed of in the Garrett County landfill, however they should be recycled after use, if at all possible.
In an effort to be more environmentally responsible, the Garrett County Solid Waste & Recycling Division would like to announce our newest pilot recycling program for fluorescent bulbs, lamps and Non-PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) ballasts. Non-PCB ballasts can be identified by their label. If the ballast does not have a “No PCBs” label, it is assumed that the ballast does contain PCB and therefore cannot be accepted in our recycling program.
Fluorescent bulbs, lamps and Non-PCB ballasts may be taken to the landfill location at 3118 Oakland Sang Run Road, Oakland, for recycling. The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. The following items will be accepted: compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), U-tubes, 4' lamps, 8' lamps and Non- PCB ballasts. A refuse sticker is not required to participate in the free recycling programs offered to Garrett County residents.
Garrett County businesses are permitted to bring compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), fluorescent lamps (only those manufactured with green colored ends) and non-PCB ballasts to the landfill for disposal by paying a commercial waste tipping fee of $35 per ton.
There are independent contractors who accept fluorescent bulbs, lamps and ballasts from commercial sites for recycling. A list of independent contractors is available at the Garrett County Solid Waste & Recycling Division office or in the recycling directory at www.mdrecycles.org.
Announcement – Acceptance of Bids for Recyclable Materials
Garrett County Solid Waste and Recycling will be accepting bids for the purchase of recycled materials by a deadline date of the seventh (7th) of each month, 4:00 p.m. (local time). If bids are not received by the seventh (7th) of each month, 4:00 p.m. (local time),or if the seventh (7th) of the month is on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, bids will be accepted no later than the next business day.
No Citizen Scrap Tire Drop Off Event Through Fiscal Year 2011
A Citizen Scrap Tire Drop Off Event sponsored by the Maryland Environmental Service, and funded through the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Scrap Tire Fund, will not be available through fiscal year 2011. However, the Garrett County Solid Waste and Recycling Division, will continue to search for alternative funding to host a scrap tire event. The public will be notified if such an event can be scheduled in the future. At this time, we would like to notify the businesses and residents of Garrett County, on several ways to dispose of or recycle unwanted scrap tires.
It is important to dispose of tires at a licensed location such as the Garrett County Landfill, Perry’s Solid Waste & Disposal or at a local Tire Retailer. These tires are safely collected and stored until being hauled to a disposal or recycling facility. Each of these locations will accept tires of all sizes with or without a wheel for a disposal fee.
You can help to reduce scrap tire problems by maintaining tire pressure at proper inflation levels to conserve fuel and extend the life of tires; buying retreaded tires when possilble and reporting any illegal dumping of tires to MDE or local authorities.
Illegal dumping of scrap tires is a problem that occurs throughout Garrett County. These scrap tires can become stockpiles that are unsightly, pose a fire hazard and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes and vectors. Illegal scrap tire stockpiles can also be costly to taxpayers and private property owners to clean up.
For additional information on the proper disposal of tires in Garrett County, please contact Kimberly Madigan, Recycling Coordinator at 301 387 0322.