Talkin' Trash

A summer morning at our Compost Facility

2009-07-06T16:24:00.000-04:00

During the week, our Compost Facility bustles with activity. It receives deliveries of the yard trim you've set out at the curb for collection, and workers are busy turning and processing leaves and grass in various stages of becoming LeafGro.

But, early in the morning, before the Facility's workday begins, things are much quieter. Here's a photo taken by a colleague on her way to an assignment:

In addition to the beautiful compost-in-progress within the Compost Facility itself, staff and visitors are greeted by a cheerful patch of wildflowers near the entrance, complete with industriously buzzing bees:

Our July 2009 TRRAC Newsletter is available

2009-06-25T11:34:00.000-04:00

TRRAC is our program for recycling and waste reduction at apartment and condominium properties.

The July 2009 issue includes:

2009 Annual Recycling Awards
Some easy steps to put your property in award
contention

Interested in reading back issues? Visit our TRRAC Newsletter Archive.

Can I recover a valuable item from the trash?

2009-06-17T11:40:00.000-04:00

Recently, my phone rang. My Solid Waste Transfer Station colleague, Ray, was on the other end.

"Today, we had someone in here looking for a diamond watch and ring. Maybe this would be something for the blog..."

Indeed it is! Part of the daily Transfer Station operations includes keeping the various dropoff areas humming, and the trucks unloading. Generally, the material that's brought in is intended to stay there. However, sometimes, valuables mistakenly end up in the trash. When this happens, our Transfer Station staff springs into action.

On that day, it was jewelry that had accidently ended up in the wrong place.

Thankfully, the trash collection truck which serviced the resident's home had not yet come to the Transfer Station to unload. When it arrived, staff pulled it aside, and had the driver unload in a separate area. (If the truck had already unloaded when the resident contacted us, it would have been too late to attempt to find the items.)

We contacted the resident, who then came to begin the hunt for the bag which held the missing items. We provided safety equipment, and assisted as much as possible. This can be very challenging work, especially if the sought-for things are small.

Was there a happy ending? The missing bag was recovered! We were ready to celebrate! However, it turned out that the jewelry was not in the bag after all. The story did ultimately end in victory: the resident called us later to share that the missing items were found behind the dresser. Hooray!

What should you do if you discover that an item of monetary or sentimental value has been whisked away as trash? We've taken this particular jewelry situation as inspiration to jot down the procedure for how to (possibly) recover a valuable item from the trash.

Yard trim labels are great... when they stick

2009-06-11T16:13:00.001-04:00

From our mailbag, in response to my recent post about the importance of labelling yard trim cans:

I agree with your concerns about labeling yard waste cans. The problem is that those labels are not robust enough to stick or stand-up to moisture and come off readily.

Thanks for your comments, M.

Agreed. Getting the yard trim labels to remain on cans has been a challenge sometimes. We haven't given up! When we ordered our most recent batch of labels this Spring, we selected ones which are supposed to have better adherence and fade-resistance than our previous ones. We'd be happy to mail you replacement yard trim labels from our new stock.

We're also happy to make a house call with spray adhesive for yard trim stickers which refuse to stay stuck. To request a visit, please contact our Customer Service staff.

Our February 2009 and May 2009 TRRAC Newsletters are available

2009-06-05T16:55:00.000-04:00

TRRAC is our program for recycling and waste reduction at apartment and condominium properties.

The February 2009 issue includes:

Making Recycling Count - monitoring performance
Keep Up the Great Work!
Let Your Residents Help!
Where Did You Get Those Baby Blues?
Seminar Attendees Share Effective Recycling Program Strategies
Special Recycling Education Requests? Please Ask

The May 2009 issue includes:

Simple Ways to Recycle More Outdoors
Montgomery County Celebrates Earth Month
Innovation Highlight: The Gallery at White Flint Looks "Inside the Box"
Recycling — Cost vs. Benefit
Got Mercury? We’ll Take It!

Interested in reading back issues? Visit our TRRAC Newsletter Archive.

Recycling Awareness Week: Special recycling achievements honored

2009-05-22T20:39:00.002-04:00

Isn't this plaque beautiful?! We gave this -- and others just like it -- to the individuals, and multi-family and business properties we honored during our Recycling Achievement Awards Recognition Program yesterday.

We were happy to honor our special recyclers with... an award made in the United States (Colorado, to be exact) from recycled glass.

Meet our honorees for Excellence in Recycling, Outstanding Achievement, and Outstanding Achievement (Individual) at multi-family and business properties, and from our Recycling Volunteer corps.

Congratulations to all!

Recycling Awareness Week: Poster contest winners

2009-05-21T12:16:00.002-04:00

Our Recycling Poster Contest winners were announced on Tuesday: view the winning student posters in our Flickr set.

Here is a small random sample:

Memorial Day 2009 - modified recycling + trash collection schedule

2009-05-21T11:45:00.000-04:00

Monday, May 25, 2009 - Memorial Day - is a recycling and trash collection holiday. All County-provided recycling and will be made one day later this week.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, or if you live in a municipality, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

Solid Waste Transfer Station Holiday Closings

Solid Waste Transfer Station hours and other details

Monday, May 25, 2009: closed
Tuesday, May 26, 2009: will reopen with normal hours

Beauty Spot Holiday Closings

Beauty Spot locations, hours and other details

Saturday, May 23, 2009: open
Sunday, May 24, 2009: closed

What's in the can? Labels are critical.

2009-05-21T10:14:00.000-04:00

The issue challenges our collection crews throughout the year. But, it's especially acute in the spring.

Quick! What's in this can?

Since it *is* a trash can, there a good chance that the contents are trash. But, what if the resident has followed our advice on using reusable cans for yard trim, and has set out grass, leaves, or brush instead? It's hard to tell, right?

Our collection crews have the same problem! As they drive down your street, the only way they have of knowing the can contents of a lidded trash can for sure is stop, lift the lid, and peer inside.

Yard trim collection routes typically service approximately 1,500 homes per day. Stopping to check every trash can that's set out to see whether there are leaves, grass, or brush -- or trash -- inside slows the crew signficantly.

Please help your your yard trim collectors do their work efficiently and accurately by clearly labeling trash cans you set out with yard trim inside. Green labels are the collectors' best signal that a container's contents are for them. Make sure that the labels face the street when you place your can at the curb.

We are happy to send you yard trim decals at no charge. The decals are also available at local libraries.

Will your compost bin fit in my car?

2009-05-12T16:47:00.002-04:00

Are you interested in picking up one of our compost bins, but concerned about how you'll get it home?

When set up for use, the bins are roughly 2.5 feet tall, and the same in diameter (the diameter is adjustable).

However, the bins come packaged as tight rolls of approximately 2.5 feet long, and 4 inches in diameter.

So, the roll fits easily into the truck, foot well, or seat of your car.

And, if you're using public transportation? Carrying one bin is no problem. Carrying multiple bins... well, that can get interesting, especially during the rush hour -- I've attempted it! And, while you're on the bus or Metro, you'll find your bin to be a good conversation starter.

Regardless of how you get your bin to your home, happy composting!

Please share your omposting success stories! And, what questions do you have about composting? We'd love to address them in future blog posts!

We celebrate compost every week

2009-05-11T22:19:00.000-04:00

Last week, a colleague reminded me that May 3 through May 9, 2009 was International Compost Awareness Week.

Oops! Is this post a week late, then? Not really: just as "Earth Day is every day," "Compost Awareness Week is every week" for us.

We have compost bins available to you -- Montgomery County residents and businesses -- at no charge throughout the year, and our pickup locations are ready for your visit this Spring.
The leaves and grass you set out for curbside recycling are composted year-round at our Compost Facility.
The Compost Facility produces Leafgro and Compro, available for purchase at local home and garden centers.

Do you compost? Please share your success stories! And, what questions do you have about composting? We'd love to address them in future blog posts!

Thanks for making our Earth Day Celebration a big success!

2009-04-27T23:40:00.000-04:00

Were you able to join us for our Earth Day Celebration on Saturday? If you were, thanks for coming out - you helped us set a new attendance record! If not, perhaps we'll see you next year.

A big round of applause and thanks to the many Recycling Volunteers who helped us at this event! We are so grateful to you all!

Some snapshots of the day...

How may I replace my cracked or broken recycling bin?

2009-03-24T11:42:00.000-04:00

The photo in my last blog post had a badly cracked recycling bin in the foreground. If you have one in similar condition, how do you get a replacement bin?

You may order a new bin at no charge through our "web store", or by calling our Customer Service staff at 240-777-6410.

If you'd like us to take your broken bin when we deliver your new bin, just let us know during the ordering process. We send the broken bins we pick up to a recycler.

The bin deliveries and pickups are made by our staff, not the recycling collection crews. Therefore, while your new bin may arrive on your recycling day, it is possible that it will happen on another day.

Why are trash can lids replaced upside down?

2009-03-23T10:54:00.002-04:00

We invite residents to share their comments via a survey about our recycling and trash collection service to them.

One recent survey respondent wrote:

Do not like that the can tops are "stuffed" inside -- but I guess that takes less time that putting them back on. Perhaps the crews should just leave the tops flat on the ground rather than stuffing them inside.

After collection, crews are not supposed to jam lids down into your containers. They are, however, supposed to place the lids back upside down.

Why upside down?

When crews replace the lids upside down, this signals their supervisors that the containers have been emptied. This way, the supervisors don't need to stop at a container, lift the lid, and check inside, which would be very inefficient, given that daily routes cover several hundred addresses, and many more containers.

Similarly, emptied wheeled paper carts are replaced with their handles facing the street, and recycling bins are replaced upside down after being serviced.

And regarding that badly cracked recycling bin in the photo and what to do about it, that's the topic of my next post!

It's National Poison Prevention Week

2009-03-18T16:59:00.000-04:00

This week -- from March 15 to March 21, 2009 -- is National Poison Prevention Week.

Did you know these facts about poisons?

Most poisonings involve everyday household items such as medicines, cleaning supplies, cosmetics and personal care items.
93 percent of all poison exposures occur in the home.
51 percent of poison exposures occur in children under the age of six.
Over 70 percent of all poison fatalities occur in adults ages 20 to 59.

Where should you turn for help? The National Capital Poison Center serves our area. Have a poison emergency? Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately for help at no charge!

Some resources for poison prevention information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (with podcasts)
Poison Help (even includes a poison jingle ringtone for your phone!)
US Environmental Protection Agency

If you find no-longer-needed or wanted poisons in your home, garage or garden, bring them to our Hazardous Waste program. Prevention is better than the cure!

May I put this plastic tub in my recycling bin?

2009-03-16T16:56:00.000-04:00

A friend brought me this warehouse-store-sized plastic tub, made from plastic resin #1. She knew it wasn’t recyclable in our Montgomery County program, but hoped that maybe I’d have a (re)use for it.

I tried, but a few weeks later, it was still gracing the same spot in my office, untouched. Before I tossed it out, though, I had one more thing to do: photograph it for our plastics do’s and don’t gallery.

We do accept plastic containers, tubs and lids pails and buckets; we can’t take non-bottle items made from resins #1 (polyethylene terephthalate) -- like this tub and lid -- or #6 (polystyrene and Styrofoam™ products).

Are you unsure about whether to toss a plastic item into your recycling bin or trash can? Write to us with a description, and we'll share the answers here.

Transfer Station closed @ 5 p.m. today - March 2, 2009

2009-03-02T18:10:00.000-05:00

Our Solid Waste Transfer Station closed at 5 p.m. today, due to icy conditions.

It's snowing! - Normal recycling / trash schedule today

2009-03-02T07:09:00.003-05:00

What a start to the month of March, which is roaring in like a lion! Snow is contining to fall as I write this.

If today is your recycling and trash collection day, please have your items out at the curb. We are aiming for our normal recycling and trash collection schedule.

Please have your items visible from the street and at the curb, so that they are not hidden by snow banks or parked cars.

Trucks may begin their rounds with a delay. If a hill or street is not passable, the crew will make another attempt later in the day or tomorrow.

How do we dispose of spray paint - latex & oil based?

2009-02-18T19:51:00.004-05:00

From our mailbag:

How do we dispose of spray paint - latex & oil based?

Thanks for asking, B. We have information for oil-based paint and latex- or water-based paint on our website. But, that applies for products applied with brushes or rollers. For advice specific to spray paint cans, I put your question to our Hazardous Waste program manager.

Here is what I learned:

Use up the spray paint product. Make sure the can no longer has pressure in it by holding down the valve until it is empty. Then, put the empty can in the trash.
Or, bring the can to us at a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off site, and we'll extract any remaining product and depressurize it.

In addition to this advice... if there's an appreciable amount of product left in the can, and you no longer have a use for it, consider offering the can to your neighbors through your local Freecycle Network group.

Presidents' Day Holiday, February 16, 2009 - normal collection schedule

2009-02-13T10:03:00.001-05:00

Monday, February 16, 2009 - Presidents' Day - is a regular recycling and trash collection day. All County-provided recycling and trash collections will be made on their normal schedule. Our Solid Waste Transfer Station will have its regular hours of operation.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

If you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, or if you live in a municipality, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

New compost bin pickup site... with weekend hours!

2009-02-04T19:55:00.001-05:00

Given the snow that swirled around this morning, your thoughts may not yet have returned to gardening and composting. But, when they do, we're ready with a new pickup point for compost bins.

We just added the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Gaithersburg to our list of distribution sites. What's more, the ReStore is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.!

Our compost bins are available to County residents and businesses at no charge.

Compost bin pickup locations, and bin details

Our Winter 2009 Recycletter is available

2009-01-30T12:49:00.003-05:00

I have just posted the Winter 2009 Recycletter to our website. The Recycletter is published quarterly by our Recycling Volunteer Program.

This issue's contents include:

A Program update
Answers to frequently asked questions
Upcoming orientation sessions for new volunteers
Fiscal Year 2008 recycling statistics
An America Recycles Day 2008 wrap-up
A calendar of events

For details, I'll purposely refer you to the Recycletter itself!

January 29, 2009: normal recycling/trash pickups, including yard trim

2009-01-29T07:26:00.000-05:00

We are on our normal recycling and trash collection schedule today.

If your collection day is Thursday or Friday, you will receive yard trim collection on your normal day. We reversed our decision to cancel yard trim service this week - despite yesterday's ice, the crews' work went well, and we will be able to take your yard trim items, including Christmas trees.

Is your collection day Wednesday? We will not make up your yard trim collection this week. Please hold your yard trim material until next Wednesday.

Please remember to have your items out at the curb for collection by 7 a.m. And, where there are snow banks and parked cars, please place your bins and cans so that crews can see them easily from the street.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

January 28, 2009: normal recycling/trash pickups; yard trim collection canceled

2009-01-28T07:21:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

We are attempting our normal recycling and trash collection schedule today. However, yard trim collection, including Christmas trees, is canceled for today. (We'll make up for Christmas trees next week -- if you have a Christmas tree to be picked up, please set it out then.)

Trucks will likely begin their rounds with a delay. If a hill or street is not passable, the crew will make another attempt later in the day or tomorrow.

Please have your items visible from the street and at the curb, so that they are not hidden by snow banks or parked cars.

If you have any questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact our Customer Service staff online or call 240-777-6410.

Note: if you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, these schedule announcements may not apply to your trash service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

Weather updates - January 27, 2009 - Transfer Station + Yard trim

2009-01-27T16:05:00.004-05:00

With icy conditions expected this evening, we will be closing the Public Unloading and Recycling Drop-off Area at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station at 5:00 p.m. today, January 27, 2009.

On January 28, 2009, yard trim collection is canceled, due to weather. Still need to recycle your Christmas tree? We've extended the collection through next week.