Press Release
September 19, 2014
 
Are you paying your fair share?
 
The operating funds for the Garrett County Landfill and the six collection site locations are generated through the sales of residential permits and the tipping fees. Currently, we are the least expensive county in Maryland for residents to dispose of their household waste. A resident that purchases one of our residential refuse permits in Garrett County for $50.00 is able to dispose of all of their household waste and an occasional bulky item for less than $1.00 per week. Due to our low rates, residents from the surrounding counties try to purchase our permits sometimes even using deceptive methods.
 
A number of counties in Maryland charge separate fees for recycling. Recycling is free to Garrett County residents and businesses. Recycling does cost money but those costs are covered through the sale of the recycled items, our tipping fees, and our residential permit sales.
 
The Garrett County Residential Refuse Permit is for a single household. It does not include your next door neighbor, a close friend, or even your mother unless they live in your house.  When collection site users make the choice to bring trash to the site generated by someone that does not have a valid permit they are stealing county services. The theft of county services is a crime and it does have costs associated with it. Over time if everyone is not paying their fair share the cost for a residential permit will have to be increased or the level of service will have to change. Perhaps a limit on the number of bags per week, a separate fee for every bulky item, or a reduction in hours that the sites are open will be necessary.
 
Garrett County Solid Waste and Recycling encourages all residents to pay their fair share and to report those that do not. Through a cooperative effort we can continue to offer the best solid waste disposal rate in Maryland. If you have questions, need more information, or would like to report a violation please contact the Garrett County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling at 301-387-0322. 
 
                                                         
 
For Further Information Contact:
Dave Baker
Manager Garrett County 
Department of Solid Waste
& Recycling
Phone 301-387-0322
Fax 301-387-2224
[email protected]