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Terms like goal reaching and diversion have positive connotations. The good news is, Maryland has reached its goal and diversion rates have improved significantly.
“Maryland has been progressively excelling in the promotion of waste recycling, and we are proud that we are meeting, and in some counties exceeding national standards,” said Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick.
In 1988, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Maryland Recycling Act (MRA) that requires Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City to recycle either 15 percent or 20 percent of their waste, depending upon their population. In addition to MRA (recognizing the importance that producing less waste has on a healthy and clean environment) in 2000, the Maryland General Assembly established a voluntary statewide waste diversion goal of 40 percent by calendar year (CY) 2005.
The waste diversion goal is comprised of the recycling rate plus a source reduction (SR) credit of up to five percent that counties can earn on activities that are designed to reduce the amount of solid waste generated. Maryland was the third state to recognize the benefits of SR and offer jurisdictions the opportunity to earn credit for these activities.
In CY 2005, Maryland met the 40percent voluntary waste diversion goal with a 42.6 percent waste diversion rate. The waste diversion rate was comprised of a 39.2 percent recycling rate and a 3.4 percent SR credit. In 2005 Maryland achieved a for the first time, a 42 percent waste diversion rate. The waste diversion rate is up from the 38.8 percent rate reported in CY 2004. “It’s an accomplishment that everyone can be proud of,” said Horacio Tablada, director, Waste Management Administration. “All of our partners in the counties and Baltimore City worked hard to achieve and exceed the 40 percent goal.”
While this rate is a marked improvement over the CY 2004 waste diversion rate, it continues the national trend toward the stabilization of waste diversion rates when viewed over the previous four-year period (2001 to 2005). From CY 2001 through 2005, Maryland’s waste diversion rate averaged an increase of only 0.9 percent points per year.
Click here to view
State County Waste Diversion Totals.
In support of Maryland law, MDE promotes and encourages waste diversion across the State. This is accomplished by building partnerships that work to develop markets for recyclable materials and increase the volume of materials diverted from landfills. Click here for details regarding Maryland’s waste diversion activities.
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