Maryland Recycling Act County Mandates

Under Environment Article Sections 9-1701 through 9-1730, every Maryland county and Baltimore City must adopt and implement a recycling plan approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Counties with populations over 150,000 must achieve a 35% recycling rate, and smaller counties must reach 20%. The state also mandates yard waste diversion from landfills, recycling at office buildings with 100 or more employees, and the Maryland Statewide Electronics Recycling Program. Apartment buildings with 10 or more units must provide recycling collection. Counties may exceed these minimums but cannot opt out. Annual reporting to MDE is required.

Counties failing to meet targets face MDE enforcement and corrective action orders. Businesses subject to mandatory recycling face fines up to $50 per day per violation.