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The sweet smell of success is in the air. In 2006, Maryland set new records for the amount of waste recycled and credits earned on activities designed to reduce the amount of solid waste entering the waste stream. The result was, for the second straight year, a waste diversion rate that exceeded Maryland’s 40 percent waste diversion goal.
In 1988, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Maryland Recycling Act (MRA) that requires Maryland’s 23 Counties and Baltimore City to divert waste by recycling either 15 percent or 20 percent of their waste, depending upon their population. In addition to the 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 2005.
The waste diversion goal is comprised of the recycling rate plus a source reduction (SR) credit of up to 5 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 that include conducting ongoing, multi-faceted, public education program promoting grasscycling and/or home composting of yard trimmings and implementing a SR curriculum or ongoing activity in schools.
Click here to view Waste Diversion Graphic
In 2006, Maryland exceeded the 40 percent voluntary waste diversion goal with a 44.7 percent waste diversion rate. The waste diversion rate was comprised of a 41.2 percent recycling rate and a 3.5 percent SR credit. The 2006 waste diversion rate is up by 2.1 percentage points from the 42.6 percent rate reported in 2005. “The real heroes are those Maryland residents who recycle or compost,” said Horacio Tablada, director, Waste Management Administration. “Government can mandate recycling and promote source reduction, but it wouldn’t make a difference if Marylanders didn’t care about doing the right thing.”
County Waste Diversion Totals for 2006
| County/City |
MRA Recycling Tons |
MRA Recycling Rate (%) |
SR Credit (%) |
MRA Waste
Diversion Rate (%) |
| Allegany |
24,686 |
29.10 |
3 |
32.10 |
| Anne Arundel |
343,593 |
46.26 |
3 |
49.26 |
| Baltimore City |
289,494 |
42.04 |
0 |
42.04 |
| Baltimore County |
724,484 |
45.25 |
5 |
50.25 |
| Calvert |
66,428 |
49.85 |
2 |
51.85 |
| Carroll |
45,811 |
27.72 |
2 |
29.72 |
| Cecil |
61,040 |
35.40 |
2 |
37.40 |
| Charles |
56,244 |
39.68 |
5 |
44.68 |
| Dorchester |
9,047 |
18.32 |
0 |
18.32 |
| Frederick |
119,069 |
36.02 |
3 |
39.02 |
| Garrett |
24,177 |
51.13 |
1 |
52.13 |
| Harford |
178,319 |
52.80 |
4 |
56.80 |
| Howard |
178,226 |
42.28 |
5 |
47.78 |
| Mid-Shore1 |
119,293 |
48.29 |
0 |
48.29 |
| Montgomery |
422,371 |
37.47 |
5 |
42.47 |
| Prince George’s |
320,217 |
41.03 |
5 |
46.03 |
| Somerset |
7,612 |
27.50 |
0 |
27.50 |
| St. Mary’s |
28,955 |
31.93 |
4 |
35.93 |
| Washington |
41,933 |
28.88 |
1 |
29.88 |
| Wicomico |
31,904 |
20.59 |
0 |
20.59 |
| Worcester |
35,998 |
32.00 |
0 |
32.00 |
| STATE TOTALS |
3,128,901 |
41.2 |
3.5 |
44.7
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In support of Maryland law, and to continue to reduce waste disposal and the adverse effects it may have on the environment, MDE promotes and encourages waste diversion across the State. This is accomplished by building partnerships that work to develop markets for recyclable materials and reduce waste at its source.
Click here for details regarding Maryland’s waste diversion activities.
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