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 What Happens to All That Stuff?
Take a trip to see how recyclables get sorted!
Before the mixed materials you place in a recycling bin or cart can be sold and re-made into cool, new products...first they have to be sorted. Ever wonder how that happens? Then perhaps a field trip is in order!
If you're looking for an air-conditioned, educational activity for a summer day, we suggest the free, fascinating tour of Montgomery County's resource recovery facility. (Frederick County's recyclables are processed at a private facility in Howard County that is not designed for tours. The Montgomery County site is a tour-friendly, public facility with a classroom.)The sorting process involves scientific concepts (such as gravity, centrifugal force, magnetism), technology (fast-moving conveyors, optical scanning lasers, eddy current separators, etc.) and the careful oversight of trained staff. The end products are materials ready to get sold and turned into tomorrow's water bottles, notebooks, clothing and more! Just because school is out doesn't mean that learning has to go on hold! You can get complete tour information online or call 301-417-1433 for assistance. Don't want to travel? Well, you can always check out the magic of single-stream recycling on YouTube. We recommend the following videos - for fun or education:
- Waste Management Recycle America - this video shows a sorting process nearly identical to how Frederick County's materials are processed (at another WM facility).
- Toss it Maybe - a recycling-themed takeoff of last summer's hit song, "Call Me Maybe"
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 The Way Things Were...
Where were you in the summer of 1987? One load of New York's waste was going nowhere, and that made news everywhere.
So, whatever happened to the infamous, orphaned garbage barge? After more than six months and 6,000 miles traveled at sea (and with a lot of political wrangling), the trash was eventually burned. While the lifespan of those materials flamed out, their story captivated the nation's attention and helped spark new interest in recycling and waste reduction initiatives.
Check out this short, well-made video to revisit- or learn for the first time- the curious story of the Mobro 4000 and the fascinating people involved in its infamous journey:
A New York Times Retro Video Report
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Holiday Recycling Schedule and Tips
 Remember, our facilities will be closed in honor of the Independence Day holiday. That means there will be no curbside collection on July 4, 2013, and Thursda y and Friday's recycling pick ups will both shift one day later than usual (affecting residents of Thurmont, Emmitsburg, Wolfsville, Mountaindale and northwest regions of the City of Frederick).
Hosting a backyard barbeque? Don't forget to encourage your guests to declare their independence from waste! Set a recycling bin next to the party's trash can, and let guests know what can go in it. Don't recycle plastic tablecloths or disposable cups, plates and cutlery. And no fireworks remnants or sparkler wires either! Thanks!To make it easy, you can download our free 4th-of-July recycling poster here! If you collect more recyclables than your curbside cart can hold, just place the extra materials in a paper bag, cardboard box or open-top container that has been clearly marked for RECYCLING, then set it out next to your cart.Questions? Call 301-600-2960, or download our free app at:
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Summertime Recycling is Hot!
We've come a long way since the Mobro 4000 garbage barge fiasco (see story above); more can be recycled than ever before! Visit our drop off site
(located at 9031 Reichs Ford Road in Frederick) for free recycling of a wide variety of materials not collected curbside, including:
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Old fans, bicycles, barbeque grills, and more... Most objects that are at least 75% metal can be brought to the landfill for free recycling! (Exceptions include pressurized tanks.)Swimming pool spring a leak? Big, hard plastic items, from kiddie pools to picnic coolers or patio chairs, can be placed in the recycling dumpster designated for Bulky Rigid Plastics. (Exceptions include: PVC, rubber and items with fabric or electronics attached.) Don't lose your cool... If your air conditioner melts down, bring it to us for recycling! And don't worry about appliances that contain freon- it will get removed and properly disposed after you drop off your AC unit, refrigerator or other appliance at our site. Get tuned up and go green! If you're getting ready for a road trip, don't forget that motor oil and filters, antifreeze, and car batteries are all recyclable at our site. |
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Help Us Find You on Facebook!
Social media can be a great resource for getting news...if you use it right.
Unless you actively control your Facebook settings, their software will automatically determine what content they think you want to see.
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