Maryland county expands curbside recycling to include electronics

In Montgomery County, Maryland, officials have expanded the single-family residential curbside recycling program to include old electronics and household batteries, WUSA9 reports.  

This expansion will include on-call collection of these items, eliminating the need for special trips to recycling centers.

The initiative has been in a phased rollout since 2022 and will be available countywide by the end of 2025. The expansion aims to increase recycling rates and prevent hazardous materials from entering the waste stream, according to the report.

The demand for safe disposal of electronic waste and batteries has been growing dramatically. As part of the pilot program, the county has recycled more than 3,700 tons of electronics and batteries, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich says.

“Making the collection easy will encourage people to recycle more, and that brings us closer to our goal of aiming for zero waste,” Elrich says. “This effort helps create a cleaner, greener Montgomery County.”

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The expanded curbside recycling program will allow residents to collect electronic waste and batteries in recyclable containers, such as a cardboard box. County officials remind that these items should never be placed in regular curbside recycling bins or trash containers. When enough items have been gathered for recycling, residents can call 311 to schedule a pickup on their regular recycling day.

“Batteries and electronics contain valuable materials that can be repurposed,” says Jon Monger, director of the Department of Environmental Protection. “At the same time, improper disposal can pose safety hazards, including fire risks in trash and recycling facilities.”

Since the pilot began, Montgomery County has received more than 2,500 recycling requests for electronics and batteries. By diverting these items from the waste stream, the county aims to reduce environmental impact while preventing safety hazards, such as fires caused by improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries.