Take action with ZWMC!
In December 2025, the Montgomery County trash incinerator (Resource Recovery Facility) in Dickerson, MD was found to be in violation of state regulations for exceeding allowed emissions of toxic dioxins and furans. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) cited the facility operator for the breach, which involves pollutants that can persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain.
Read the article in Bethesda Magazine -
"Tests conducted in late September found levels of dioxins and furans from the boiler were 83% higher than the allowable amount under state regulations".
“We have no idea how long this was going on,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said during a virtual media briefing
ZWMC team informed the councilmembers about the severity of the dioxin leak in the letter on Jan 9, 2026 and urged them to support DEP's recommendations to concurrently reduce our reliance on the incinerator, increase our recycling and composting and implement innovative programs such as "save as you throw."