Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County's air, water, and land in a sustainable way while fostering smart growth, a thriving economy, and healthy communities.

Budget Overview

The total approved FY22 Operating Budget for the Recycling and Resource Management is $135,269,523, an increase of $3,845,248 or 2.93 percent from the FY21 Approved Budget of $131,424,275. Personnel Costs comprise 9.61 percent of the budget for 83 full-time position(s) and two part-time position(s), and a total of 112.06 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 90.39 percent of the FY22 budget.

In addition, this department's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requires current revenue funding.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• A Greener County
• Effective, Sustainable Government

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY21 estimates reflect funding based on the FY21 approved budget. The FY22 and FY23 figures are performance targets based on the FY22 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY23.

Initiatives

• Continue to improve the safety and processing efficiency at the Yard Trim Facility and the Compost Facility, using software that allows more accurate load measurements of bulk shipments from the Compost Facility.
  

• Expand the commercial food scraps recycling program to additional large-scale commercial food scrap generators of food scraps, and expand the pilot of the single-family residential food scraps collection program in FY22.
  

• Improved partnership with the Bethesda Urban District, the Silver Spring Urban District and the Silver Spring Regional Services Center to address the lack of recycling bins in the downtown areas in Silver Spring. This partnership strives to increase the number of recycling bins along the streetscapes and sidewalks to improve compliance with recycling mandates, set an example for others in the public and private sector to follow, and increase recycling.
• Initiate the curbside pickup of electronics for recycling in the northern part of the County in FY22 through new recycling contracts.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• The capital equipment purchases for FY22 will dramatically improve the operational efficiency and reduce the overall cost per ton of the yard trim grinding operation at the Transfer Station. A low-speed, high torque shredder combined with scalping screen will allow 70% - 80% of material to by-pass the secondary high-speed grinders, increasing production efficiency.
• Continue efforts to increase recycling awareness including grasscycling, food waste composting as well as waste reduction and reuse. DEP staff continue to create educational materials using software and in-house capabilities providing savings.
  

• Automate the process for licensing of Haulers and Collectors allowing the application to be submitted from a mobile phone and reviewed by DEP staff within two days. Payments can be made through credit cards or bank accounts, eliminating the handling of checks. Automated reminders are sent to the licensed companies when it is time to renew. This increases productivity of DEP staff and simplifies the process for the haulers and collectors.
• Continue the acceptance of credit cards only at the Scale House at the Transfer Station, allowing more efficient transaction time and ability to control transactions associated with the monthly revenues of approximately $2 million. Additionally, improved infrastructure including new underground fiber cable as well as software upgrades to ensure the point of sale system at the Transfer Station is reliable, reduces loss of revenue, and provides clear accountability.
• Use of wireless internet (wifi) at the Dickerson compost facility (previously connected with a cellular air card) that allows contractors and DEP staff at the facility to collaborate through use of the county County network, increasing productivity.
  

Program Descriptions

  Administration and Support

Provides support to the Department's Division of Resource Recovery and Management's operations, programs, and mission; and overall management and policy direction to the core professional services of budget and financial management. Develop and evaluate CIP and operating budgets in a strategic and economically responsible manner for fair and equitable...

  Materials and Collection

This program provides for collection of refuse from single family residences in the southern parts of the County (Subdistrict A) and the funds to secure, administer, monitor, and enforce contracts with private collectors for collection of residential refuse and recyclables for the entire County. It also responds to the residents'...

  Disposal

This program provides for the operation of the Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility (RRF). The RRF serves as the primary disposal facility for non-recycled waste generated in the County. Renewable energy in the form of electricity is generated and sold into the competitive energy market. This program also includes costs...