Zero Waste Resources

​In 2020, the latest year for which there is data, Montgomery County residents, government and businesses threw away 196 million pounds (98,000 tons) of food.  As the graphic above shows, only a small portion is getting composted by the county!  Adding in non-recyclable paper, much of which consists of pizza boxes and food packaging, the total compostable material in our waste stream could be as high as 147,000 tons.  

Extrapolating from a Feeding America report, the food scraps wasted equates to tossing out 214 million meals and $670 million each year in our county alone. In addition to wasting money, food and other organic scraps (an additional 42 tons) made up 17% of all waste that was disposed of in incinerators or landfills. We can do better for ourselves, our county, and our world!

Organic waste, including food, is a problem for all of us, not just for the agriculture or food industry. In fact, the United Nations estimates that the majority of food waste comes from households. Addressing our relationship with how we use and dispose of food can make a difference in multiple ways:

Better food management can put money in your pocket. The Department of Agriculture calculates a savings of $370 per individual per year.

Better food management is good for the food insecure, estimated to be 7% of our county’s population and 14% of our children. Unused food that is safe to eat can be diverted to people who need it. The Montgomery County Food Council and the Community Food Rescue are amazing organizations in our county that have more information as well as opportunities to volunteer.  

Better food management can save taxpayers money. More waste equates to more volume, which costs more taxpayers money in disposal fees.

Better food management is good for the environment. Food waste generates greenhouse gas emissions in every step of the chain from food production itself, to its transportation, to processing, to distribution and back again as waste when  it ends up at a landfill. At this point, the food releases methane, another potent greenhouse gas.  In Montgomery County, most of the commercial waste (think restaurants, hospitals, and grocery stores) and much residential waste coming from municipalities is sent to landfills. The rest is sent to our incinerator, which is wasteful because it could have been diverted to create compost. This compost could be used to replenish soil. 

1. Rethink each purchase decision. Do we really need this?  

2. Reduce what gets tossed in the garbage. Are you buying only what you can use? If a food item something needs to be tossed, can it be composted? 

3. Reuse what you have before you go out to buy something new. This may include repurposing or repairing. There are so many opportunities to get creative here.

4. Recycle before you toss. Even if it’s “just one person” or “just one aluminum can”, it all makes a big difference when multiplied by all one million residents.

What new habits can you start now in your journey to Zero Waste?

Habitat for Humanity ReStore Rockville - 1029 E Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

Goodwill Industries of Greater Washington Retail Store - 4816 Boiling Brook Pkwy, Rockville, MD 20852  

Goodwill Industries of Greater Washington Retail Store - 725 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852

The Salvation Army Family Store - 11550 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852

Planet Aid Thrift Store -  5520 Randolph Road, Rockville, MD 20852

Bikes for the World - 11729 Parklawn Drive, Rockville MD 20852

Small Things Matter - 14516 Bauer Drive, Rockville, MD 20853

Second Story Books Rockville Warehouse Store - 12160 Parklawn Drive, North Bethesda, MD 2085

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association MD Chapter / loan closet- 30 W Gude Drive, Ste 150 Rockville, MD 20850

Interfaith Works Clothing Center - 751 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD 20851

Montgomery Avenue Women's Center - 112 West Montgomery Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless - 405 E Gude Drive, Ste 209, Rockville, MD 20850

Rainbow Place Shelter - 215 W Montgomery Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

Stepping Stones Shelter - 1070 Copperstone Court, Rockville, MD 20852

Friends of the Library of Montgomery County - Randolph Hills Shopping Center 4886 Boiling Brook Pkwy Rockville

Habitat for Humanity ReStore Silver Spring - 12006 Plum Orchard Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20904 

Unique Thrift Store Hillandale - 10141 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903 

New Hampshire Value Village Thrift Store - 10121 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903 

Creative Reuse Silver Spring - 33 University Blvd E, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Leveling The Playing Field - 9170 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 844-5622 

Medical Loan Closet of the Lutheran Church of St. Andrew - 15300 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20905 

A Wider Circle - 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

African Community Center DC Metro - 8121 Georgia Avenue, Ste 720, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Shepherds Table - 8106 Georgia Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Goodwill Industries of Greater Washington Retail Store - 619 S Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

The Salvation Army Store & Donation Center - 18705 N Frederick Road, Germantown, MD 20876

Equipment Connections for Children, Inc - 18906 Premiere Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Lollipop Kids Foundation – Equipment Closet - 7901 Beechcraft Avenue, Unit V, Gaithersburg, MD 20879          

House with a Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary - 6409 Stream Valley Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20882