"Recycle Here" Stickers ***** ARE STILL AVAILABLE. ( Updated 1/11/22)

We have 6" x 6", white vinyl weatherproof labels/stickers that can be used on any type of container.  

These stickers will be offered on a first come first served basis to residents, owners and management companies who must comply with House Bill 1 adopted in April of 2012.  At this time, they are being offered FREE-OF-CHARGE, however we can not guarantee these stickers will be offered in the future.

If you should have any questions, please contact the office at 301.334.7492.

Apartment Building and Condominium Recycling Program
 
Pursuant to House Bill 1 adopted in April, 2012 all owners or councils of owners of Garrett County Apartment Buildings and Condominiums that contain 10 or more dwelling units are required to provide recycling to their tenants. The law requires the program to be in place by October 1st, 2014.
 
A.  Apartment Building and Condominium Recycling Program
 
In cooperation with the Garrett County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling the owners or managers of apartment buildings or councils of unit owners of condominiums (“apartment and condominium officials”), have identified the apartment buildings and condominiums that fall under the scope of the law. 
 
Apartment and condominium officials must report to the Garrett County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling annually, with details of the required recycling activities.
 
Other program requirements include:    
 
1.   Materials Included in Program
 
Recyclables must include:  plastic, aluminum cans, glass jars and beverage containers, as   
well, as paper.   
 
 2.  Collection of Materials
 
Apartment and condominium officials are responsible for providing all containers, labor, and equipment necessary to fulfill recycling requirements throughout their buildings.  Distinctive colors and/or markings of recycling containers should be provided to avoid cross contamination.  The apartment and condominium officials must ensure collection and transportation of recyclable materials from apartment and condominium locations to markets or the established County collection centers. Containers are to be of sufficient size and emptied frequently enough to provide residents with at least weekly access for recycling.  Residents will be responsible for placing recyclables in recycling bins prior to their removal on the scheduled pick up day.   
 
 
      3.   Marketing of Materials
 
Apartment and condominium officials are responsible for the marketing of their recyclables.  The apartment and condominium officials shall submit annual reports detailing the recycling and waste tonnage removed from the apartment and condominium and the markets for each of the materials. 
 
B.  Stakeholders
 
Stakeholders that will be involved in implementing the law are:
 
1.County Council or Commissioners
 
Responsible for adopting the MDE approved language of ABCR Program into the 10 year Solid Waste Management Plan
 
2.County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling
 
Responsible for overseeing the County Office of Recycling activities and assuring that all apartment buildings and condominiums that fall under the requirements are included in the ABCR Program.
 
Communicate the requirements of the law to the apartment and condominium   officials.  Assist apartment and condominium officials in developing a recycling program.  Monitor the progress and performance of the ABCR Program.  Develop the requirements of an ABCR Program in conjunction with input from apartment and condominium officials.
 
Update the County Solid Waste Management Plan to include the ABCR program
 
Develop a recycling reporting survey to be used by apartment and condominium officials in reporting recycling activities.
 
    3. Owner or Manager of the Apartment Building or Councils of the Unit Owners of
         Condominiums
 
Responsible for providing recycling to the residents of each apartment building or condominium by October 1, 2014.  Secure and manage recycling contracts with the contractor for providing material collection and recycling services from the building locations.  Provide material collection bins and containers for transporting the materials from the buildings to the markets.  Perform record keeping and may report to the County on annual basis.
 
C.   Participating Apartment Buildings or Condominiums () in ABCR Program:

Note:  New apartment buildings or condominiums that will fall under the requirements of the law will begin participating in the ABCR program within 3 months of being notified by the County.

  4.  Program Monitoring
 
The Garrett County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling shall oversee the progress and performance of the ABCR Program.  However, the apartment and condominium officials will conduct inspections, review service levels, investigate reported or unreported pick-up and disposal complaints, meet with residents or  recycling contractor staff to educate or review practices, and review contractor compliance with the recycling contract.  Any issues which arise from these visits that are deemed deficiencies on the part of the residents or recycling contractor will be detailed in writing and reported to the violator.  The apartment and condominium officials shall initiate actions to correct all deficiencies within 60 days of being notified. 
 
The apartment and condominium officials will also be available to conduct educational seminars and/or tours regarding new materials, practices, and procedures for residents.   Also, the owner, manager or council shall be responsible to keep the residents current on new regulations, laws, and mandates affecting recycling in the apartment buildings or condominiums.
 
5.  Program Enforcement
 
The Garrett County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling will ensure that the recycling at apartment and condominiums will be implemented in accordance with the Sections 9- 1703 and 9-1711 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.  The County Attorney’s Office will determine if a County should enforce the law and what level of enforcement actions should be used.  The law allows for fines to a person that violates the recycling or reporting requirements of the law or a civil penalty not exceeding $50 for each day on which the violation occurs.  Further, any penalties collected under the law shall be paid to the county, municipality, or other local government that brought the enforcement action.   

 
*updated 6/13/23