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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...
and maybe $100 too, in our new coloring book contest!

Through March 13, local K-12 students are asked to create a black-and-white drawing based on the Department of Solid Waste Management's motto of "Recycle More, Waste Less." Selected entries will be featured in a coloring book to be distributed in the community, promoting the value of the "three R's": reduce, reuse and recycle.

To participate in the "Recycle More. Waste Less." Coloring Book Contest, students may draw a picture (but not color it in) that meets at least one of the following objectives of the contest:

- show ways to create less waste (such as through reducing or reusing materials)

- promote the overall value of recycling

- explain what is/isn't recyclable

 Entries may be hand drawn or created digitally; all submissions must be solely comprised of original artwork by the participating student. Submissions must be received by 4pm, Friday March 13 and need to be accompanied by an official entry form

Entries may be delivered or mailed to:  Coloring Book Contest, Dept. of Solid Waste Management, 9031 Reichs Ford Road, Frederick, MD 21704.

Submissions will be judged in 4 grade-level categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Each category will award a first place prize of $100, a second place prize of $50 and a third place prize of $25. (Prizes funded through a grant from Waste Management Recycle America.)

The announcement of contest winners will be made on Earth Day, April 22, 2015. Coloring books will be printed for distribution at DSWM and community events.  

For more information on this program and to download contest posters and entry forms, please visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ColoringBook.  

New! Automatic Gate and Flat-Rate Transactions Offered at the Citizens' Convenience Center
 
Site users may be familiar with Recycle Road, the lane that leads to our recycling drop-off center. This road is now also the sole point of access for the Citizens' Convenience Center (CCC), an area designed for efficient disposal of household wastes. 

The CCC, while not a new area, has recently been partitioned off from the main landfill site and is now only accessible via an automatic gate located along Recycle Road. Customers who use the CCC will pay a flat rate of $7.60 to dispose of household waste or drop off electronics for recycling.

Recycle Road still provides access to the recycling drop-off center, where recyclable materials may be deposited for no charge.

Residents may choose to access our main facility grounds through the scale house gate, where vehicles are weighed to assess load-specific tipping fees. The new CCC entrance simply offers an additional option that may be convenient for many customers.   

To utilize the new entrance to the Citizens' Convenience Center:
  • Users must have a credit card and a valid Frederick County license (no cash/check transactions or IDs with out-of-county addresses permitted).
  • ID and payment will be processed automatically, at an electronic terminal, allowing vehicles to enter the site via a mechanical gate.
  • Users will pay a flat rate of $7.60 per trip, vehicles will not be weighed.
  • Mattresses, tires, remodeling/construction and demolition debris are not accepted at this site (use main facility entrance to dispose of these items).
  • No vehicles with trailers are allowed in the Citizens' Convenience Center.
  • Vehicles must be less than 7' 6" tall to access this area. 

This new process will offer County residents the option of self-serve access to the Department of Solid Waste facilities, without having to be weighed in and out of the main entrance or visit the transfer station. Staff will still be available to assist customers as needed in the CCC area. 

 

The scale house entrance gate may still be used for residential transactions.  The scale house main entrance continues to provide access to the transfer station, yard waste recycling site and administrative offices. This entrance is also utilized for mattress and tire disposal, as well as by all vehicles that are pulling trailers, are greater than 7' 6" in height, or are hauling commercial waste. Those who wish to pay by cash or check or those with out-of-county IDs must also utilize the main facility entrance.

Questions? Please send email to [email protected] or call 301-600-1848.

 

Quick Tips for Winter Recycling 
  • Don't over-fill your cart. When the lid closes completely and materials are not near the top, recyclables are less likely to become windblown debris. Excess material can be placed in a cardboard box, paper bag or any open container that has been clearly marked for recycling. If you regularly over-fill your cart, maybe it's time to up-size to a larger cart for free.
  • Stay in-the-know. Sometimes snow, sleet or other winter hazards can delay recycling collections. Find out if your street has been affected by calling 301-600-2960, visiting our Facebook page or website...or, easiest of all...simply download our app to get instant notifications sent to your smartphone or tablet!
  • Request a repair. Cart cracked from the cold (or the snow plow)? Broken lid, busted wheel or other damage making it difficult to recycle? Call 301-694-6498 to request a repair or replacement - there's no charge! 
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