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Home   >    Departments   >   Public Works   >   Bureau Of Environmental Services   >   Recycling   >   Business Recycling

 

Business Recycling

Businesses play an important role in the success of any community's recycling programs and initiatives. Every type of business, from offices to restaurants to car washes and sport complexes, create materials that can be recycled. The following information will help your business implement a successful recycling program.


Work Green Howard Logo


Work Green Howard

By 2020, Howard County is targeting a 60% recycling rate as required by State law and must report our progress annually to the Maryland Department of the Environment. The reporting process is simple and we now call it "Work Green Howard". 



Help

Contact the Recycling Division at 410-313-6444 or help@howardcountyrecycles.org with any questions or requests for assistance with your recycling program.


Congratulations 2019 Winners!

At Howard County’s 12th annual GreenFest on Saturday, April 13, the County’s Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Environmental Services announced the winners of its 2nd annual “Business Recycling and Waste Reduction” and “Green Community Leadership” awards. Award winners received certificates signed by the County Executive, framed in one-of-a-kind picture frames crafted by a Maryland artist from reclaimed Ocean City boardwalk lumber. “Business Recycling and Waste Reduction” award winners will also become certified Work Green Howard businesses.

Work Green winner logos 2019

Greening Your Business

Getting Started

All businesses can benefit financially, socially and environmentally from a successful recycling program. Click on the graphic for a printable version.

greening your business

 

Collection Options

A quick online search pulled up these collection options for businesses. You may want to search on your own to find your best fit.

Advanced Disposal
American Disposal Services
Bates Trucking & Trash Removal Inc
Burch Trash Service
Ecology
Georgtown Paper Stock
Goode Companies, Inc
J&J Trash Service
MBG Enterprises
Republic Services
Waste Management

Waste Prevention

  • Buy only what the business needs
  • Shop for items with minimal packaging
  • Buy quality items that will last
  • Think before you print. If you must print, print double-sided
  • Donate unwanted items
  • Shred when REALLY needed Shredding paper cuts the paper fibers so that the paper cannot be recycled as many times. Only shred those documents that contain personal/confidential information and truly require shredding. This saves the paper fibers and saves you time at the shredder. 
  • Renovating? Expanding? Moving? There are many resources for reusing and recycling office furniture, office supplies and C&D debris. Here's an article about the benefits! Buy used, get rid of and refurbish old items: ReForm, Gerstel Office Furniture, Omega Trading Company or Schoenbauer.  For construction and renovation options, please visit our C&D webpage.

 

Close the Loop - Buy Recycled

All of those recyclables you put in the recycling container need a market. Encourage your purchasing department to buy supplies that are made from recycled materials. Prices for items made from recycled material are usually very close, if not cheaper, than items made from virgin materials.


Food Scrap Recycling

Learn more about food waste recycling on the EPA's Food Scrap website.

Business Composting: Want to start a compost program at work? Visit The Natural Resources Defense Council to learn more about food waste collection. And, check out these food waste contractors: Bates Trucking, EnviRelation, Veteran Compost or Waste Neutral.

Event Composting: Want to compost at an event? Check out the Northeast Recycling Council's Special Events Food Waste Diversion Guide.


Additional Resources

EPA WasteWise Program Businesses, local governments, and non-profit organizations of all sizes and from all industry sectors can join WasteWise. WasteWise targets the reduction of municipal solid waste and select industrial wastes, including office paper, corrugated containers, yard trimmings and wood pallets. For more information, visit EPA's WasteWise website.

 

EPA Rethink: Sustainable materials management – the use and reuse of materials in the most productive and sustainable way across their entire life cycle. For more information, visit the EPA’s Rethink website.

 

MD Recycles: On mdrecycles.org, you'll discover the outlets available for business recycling as well as companies that will pick up your recyclable material. As a business you’ll learn how to reduce your waste management costs while helping to create a cleaner environment for all of us.

 

Maryland Green Registry: Help build a smarter, greener, more sustainable Maryland by putting these practices to work right in your organization. The Maryland Green Registry is a voluntary, self-certification program offering tips and resources to help organizations set and meet their own goals on the path to sustainability. Visit www.mde.state.md.us for more information.