By Rashad Christian
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski signed an executive order last week to study ways the county can reduce the amount of trash it produces each year.
The order creates a working group that will examine how the county collects and disposes of its garbage and recommend ways those efforts can be improved.
Olszewski said the Solid Waste Work Group will help “map a path forward for the future.”
“Our residents expect and deserve a Baltimore County that will remain vibrant and livable for generations to come, and that means we must find more sustainable practices that protect our planet and reduce the amount of garbage we create,” Olszewski said.
The examination of current practices will help the group create a five-year plan for improving the solid waste collection and disposal system of Baltimore County. The recommendations will also include improvements to the operations of the Department of Public Works (DPW).
The county will partner with the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority and the Virginia-based company Gershman, Brickner & Bratton (GBB) – Solid Waste Management Consultants to help with the technical aspects of the project
“We’re excited to work closely with @BaltCoGov and the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority to help in the development of the Tactical Five-Year Plan for its Recycling & Waste System,” GBB said in a tweet on Oct. 19.
The work group includes members from county leadership, community members and industry representatives. Members were highlighted by Council member Israel “Izzy” Patoka D-2nd District, County Administrative Officer Stacy Rodgers, and DPW Solid Waste Bureau Chief Mike Beichler.
There are multiple efforts in place to help improve the operations of the DPW, one of those being a partnership between Baltimore County and Cap Glass Inc. In July of this year, Baltimore County signed a 10-year agreement with the Connellsville, Pennsylvania-company to launch a new glass recycling programs for county residents.
The DPW could not recycle glass at its facilities due to financial and technical difficulties accumulating over the years, prompting the search for a new resolution to this problem.
“A better Baltimore County is one where sustainability and the future of our planet is a top priority, and this new agreement puts that commitment into action as we make our county’s recycling even more efficient,” Olszewski said in a statement.
The work group will work with the public by conducting surveys to garner more recommendations and holding public meetings. Due to the pandemic, the meeting will be held on Webex. The link can be found on the work group’s webpage.
The Solid Waste Work Group plans to conclude its work and submit a report to the county executive by March 2021.