TURNING WASTE INTO RESOURCES

PROGRAM: Turning Waste Into Resources

The Crofton Village Garden Club welcomed Dana Strotman, Recycling Specialist with Anne Arundel County, for an informative presentation on recycling and responsible waste management. Dana explained how the County’s recycling program helps reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, save energy, and extend the life of our landfill.

Dana gave members a behind-the-scenes look at the Millersville Landfill and Recovery Facility, which opened in 1975. Located on 567.66 acres, it is the only active municipal solid waste landfill owned by Anne Arundel County. The facility is carefully designed and monitored to protect air quality, groundwater, and nearby streams. Members also learned about the Landfill Gas to Electricity facility, which uses two Caterpillar generators to produce 3.2 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 2,000 homes.
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The County also operates a composting facility that processes approximately 20,000 to 25,000 tons of yard waste each year, including grass, leaves, brush, small branches, and weeds.

Anne Arundel County uses a convenient single-stream recycling system, allowing residents to place all accepted recyclables in the same cart. The materials are processed at Waste Management Recycle America in Elkridge. Paper and cardboard are turned into new paper products, metals become new containers and other products, plastics can become everything from new bottles to carpeting and clothing, and glass is recycled into new glass products or used in construction.

Dana reminded members that recycling is an important part of protecting our environment and making the most of our natural resources. Every item we properly recycle helps reduce waste and preserve the County’s landfill for future generations.

She also introduced members to Recycle Coach, a helpful phone app that provides recycling, trash, and yard waste information, recycling quizzes, and customized collection reminders. It’s an easy way to make sure we are recycling correctly and doing our part for a cleaner, more sustainable community.

Verna Pond, Yael Beckman, Trish Lilek Demers, and Catherine Reardon

A special thank-you to our hostesses, Catherine Reardon, lead hostess, along with Verna Pond, Yael Beckman, and Trish Lilek Demers, for creating such a lovely way to say goodbye to summer. Seashells and beautiful blue hydrangea arrangements added a touch of the beach to the buffet table, while music played in the background. In support of the FGCMD President’s Stewards of the Earth initiative, compostable paper goods and utensils were used for the gathering. Their thoughtful touches created a festive and welcoming atmosphere while reflecting our commitment to being good stewards of our environment.