Recycling & Environmental Programs

Cecil County's Recycling & Environmental Programs are managed by the Department of Pubic Works Solid Waste Management Division. Our recycling program was instituted in 1990 after the Maryland Recycling Act was passed. The Maryland Recycling Act requires counties with a population under 150,000 to recycle 15% of their waste stream.  Cecil County falls into this category and has met or exceeded this requirement every year since the law was enacted.
 
The Solid Waste Management Division currently manages over 25 recycling and environmental programs and events. These programs help our Department of Public Works to fulfill their mission to contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life of Cecil County residents.

To view a video of how single stream recyclables are processed visit:  Thinkgreen.com 

For the third year in a row, the Solid Waste Management Division of the Cecil County Department of Public Works has been named the winner of the Maryland Recycling Network's (MRN) Outstanding Small Government Leadership Award.  The announcement was made at MRN's annual awards ceremony held at the Maritime Institute in Baltimore on June 24, 2010.

The Maryland Recycling Network Outstanding Small Government Leadership Award is intended to recognize Maryland municipalities and counties with populations under 150,000 people for excellence in waste reduction and recycling over the past year.  One winner is selected by the MRN Awards Committee annually.

Former Recycling Coordinator, Phil Hoderfield,  of the Cecil County Solid Waste Management Division has been unanimously approved to by the SWANA Awards Committee to receive the Solid Waste Association of North America Professional Achievement Award - Public Sector Member. Given annually, this award recognizes SWANA Members for valuable and distinguished contributions to the Association; the individual's employing organization and the general public.  The length of continuous contributions and services by the individual is a consideration in the selection. Phil has dedicated the last twenty-five years to recycling and solid waste management in Cecil County.

Cecil County Government, Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Management Division was awarded a 2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region 2009 Environmental Achievement Award in recognition of our exceptional work and commitment to protect the environment on September 16, 2009. This highly competitive award celebrates and recognizes outstanding organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions toward enhancing and protecting the quality of our environment.

Cecil County is also the recipient of the  Annual Maryland Recycling Network Small Government Leadership Award for 2008, 2009, and 2010.

On Tuesday, April 7, 2009 the Cecil County Health Department and Cecil County Board of Health awarded Director Scott Flanigan, Chief Pete Bieniek, and Recycling Coordinator, Tanya Adams with an Outstanding Community Service Award in Public Health for our Sharps, Household Hazardous Waste Day with Medications Acceptance events, and Citizen Scrap Tire Drop-Off Days. 

Cecil County has also won the 2008 Silver Recycling Excellence Award given by the Solid Waste Association of North America.