The Garrett County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling is proud to announce a recycling rate of 44.60% for 2024.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) reviews the information in each (MRA) Maryland Recycling Act Recycling Report submitted by the Maryland counties. They release the OFFICIAL rates once they have verified all the information.
In 2012, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Recycling Rate and Waste Diversion – Statewide Goals Act. The act revises the Maryland Recycling Act, enacted in 1988, which requires all counties and Baltimore City to recycle waste and meet an overall recycling percentage based on the county's population. Since Garrett County’s population is under 150,000 residents, the State of Maryland requires the County to reach and maintain a 20% recycling rate, which includes certain designated recyclables.
“It is our goal to continue to educate and encourage the residents and businesses to not only recycle, but to also reduce waste at the source,” stated Kimberly Madigan, Recycling Coordinator.
Source reduction means the design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials or products that reduce the amount of waste generated. It includes reuse, waste elimination, package reduction and substitution. Examples would include using rags instead of paper towels, packing lunches in reusable containers, and donating usable items to those in need.
Recycling is offered in Garrett County FREE of charge; a refuse sticker is never required to recycle at any of the seven convenient refuse and recycling sites. Please recycle newspaper, telephone books (with covers removed), corrugated cardboard, magazines, office paper, glass bottles and jars (clear, green, and brown), aluminum cans, #1 and #2 plastic bottles (with a neck), used motor oil, oil & transmission filters, anti- freeze, electronics, and mixed metal. Toner & ink cartridges, cell phones and aluminum pop tabs can also be taken for collection at any refuse & recycling site.
American flags are also collected at every site and taken to either the VFW or the American Legion for proper disposal by ceremony.
Garrett County is currently collecting information from businesses for the 2025 MRA Recycling Report. If you have not received a report or need assistance in completing your report, please contact the office.
For additional information on recycling in Garrett County, please contact Kimberly Madigan, Recycling Coordinator, at 301.334.7492, kmadigan@garrettcounty.org, or visit our website at www.garrettcounty.org/solid-waste-recycling.
