SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Montgomery County celebrated America Recycles Day on Nov 15. The County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced significant reduction in waste and notable improvement in recycling. It must be noted that the County had recently started accepting additional items such as electronic devices, mattress and box springs as well as operational medical equipment for recycling.

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According to figures released by the DEP, a total of 211 tons of mattresses and box springs were collected since the inception of the program in May this year. Also, the collection of electronics totalled 907 tons. Since the launch of the program in April 2023, as many as 17 tons of operational medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds etc. were collected. The collected medical equipment are cleaned, refurbished and provided for reuse to individuals in need.

The County has recorded surge in per person recycling over the past three years. However, the amount of waste generated has recorded a steady decline, even as the County population has grown.

The increased recycling rates suggest that the ongoing efforts to educate and inform the community about waste reduction, reuse and recycling are paying off, said Jon Monger, Director, County DEP.