2024 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 18
Charles County Government Annual Report • 2024
RESILIENCY & SUSTAINABILITY
RECYCLING & LITTER
PREVENTION
Charles Count y Government is
proud to "Keep Charles Count y
Beautiful." We all have a vested interest in the beauty and environmental health of
Charles Count y. This initiative is expanding
through partnerships with the Maryland State
Highway Administration (SHA) and the Charles
County Public Schools (CCPS).
The Department of Public Works (DPW) and the
SHA partnership removed 641 unauthorized
signs from County roadways in one weekend.
DPW's Environmental Resources Division visited
many CCPS classrooms to give presentations
discussing the importance of keeping our community clean. These presentations left lasting
impressions with thousands of children.
Protecting
and securing
our natural
resources,
environment,
infrastructure,
and assets
for future
generations.
ADOPT-A-SPOT PROGRAM
Adopt-A-Spot is an opportunity for the community to participate
in cleanup activities. Groups clean their adopted spot three times
within a calendar year. The number of Adopt-a-Spot areas has
increased from three to eight in just one year.
RECYCLING BICYCLES
DPW partners with the nonprofit, Bikes for the World, who repairs
and salvages parts from the bikes collected. After being refurbished,
the bikes are redistributed to people in need locally and globally.
Charles County is one of 33 collection sites in the Metro DC area.
Since August 2023, the county has collected 932 bicycles.
IRECYCLE SMART
Environmental Resources partnered with CCPS for the "iRecycle
Smart" program. Each of our county schools produce an estimated
two tons of paper each year. DPW provided 1,200 recycling bins
to aid in capturing school recyclables. The division continues to
work with CCPS by educating staff and students on best practices
and strategies to improve school recycling.
REUSE DIRECTORY
A new, digital Reuse Directory was developed to assist our community with disposal of unwanted items. The online directory at
ReUseDirectory.CharlesCountyMD.gov is designed to make
it easier for residents to find organizations or businesses that
accept donations of unwanted items. Outreach to local nonprofits and agencies is ongoing to increase the number of acceptance
locations.
MATTRESS RECYCLING
The new mat tress recycling program began August 1, 2024.
Mattresses and box springs consume landfill space, create flammable air pockets, and damage equipment used at landfills. By
recycling mattresses we are reducing unnecessar y items in the
landfill. Through this valuable new program, our Maryland-based
processor collects and breaks down the mattresses to recyclable
components. The program recycled 3,003 mattresses within
3 months of implementation.
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