Solid Waste Management in Howard County

In 2023, Howard County's waste diversion rate was 45.99%. The waste diversion goal is comprised of the recycling rate plus source reduction credits (maximum 5%) that Maryland Counties and Baltimore City earn through activities designed to reduce the amount of waste going to the waste stream.

In 2023, a total of 207,302 tons of recyclables were recycled by businesses and residents. Of that, 22,827 tons of recyclables were collected curbside and 21,248 tons through drop-off programs at Alpha Ridge Landfill. 399 tons of food scraps were composted through our Feed the Green Bin Food Scrap Collection Program.

Paper and Cardboard – 58%
Glass Bottles – 16%
Aluminum Cans – 1.8%
Water & Soda Bottles – 4.9%
Metal Cans – 1.3%
Milk Containers - 1%
Liquid Detergent Containers – 1.6%
Other Plastic Containers (#3-7) – 3%
Rigid Plastics - 1.2%
Trash – 10.5%

Percentages based on average weights from recent audits. Trash includes items that are not recyclable, as well as items that do not belong in the blue cart but can be recycled in our other programs (textiles, yard trim, scrap metal, etc.). These items placed in the blue recycling carts are sorted out as trash and will not be recycled. Help us achieve a cleaner stream by reviewing our curbside collection rules and regulations.

In 2024, we gave away about 600 compost bins!

We collected:

• an average of 50 flags per month for retirement.
• 2,830 bikes were donated (over 10,800 since the program began in 2016)
• 1,627 mattresses and/or box springs
• 54.08 tons of car batteries
• 168.96 tons of tires
• 295.49 tons of single stream
• 245.13 tons of rigid plastics
• 407.03 tons of cardboard
• 13.59 tons of cooking oil
• 56.90 tons of textiles
• 39.34 tons of books

We frequently conduct field audits in each Trash & Recycling Zone (TRZ) to determine residential participation in our curbside recycling program. A summary of our current participation rates can be found below.