Composting, Recycling, & Trees
Five Recycling Myths
Myth: Plastic doesn't really get recycled.
Fact: Plastic bottles, jugs, containers, and tubs are widely accepted for recycling in communities across the country, and there is a strong demand for these materials.
Myth: Anything plastic can go in your recycling bin.
Fact: Know what to throw. Generally, plastic bottles with necks or handles, or plastic containers and tubs are recyclable in your curbside container. Containers with #1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 are accepted.
Myth: Plastic grocery bags can be recycled curbside.
Fact: Plastic bags require special handling to be recycled and should not go in your curbside container. Return them to collection bins at the grocery or big-box store.
Myth: You should bag your recyclables.
Fact: Recyclables should never be bagged. Place them loose in your recycling bin. Plastic bags can wrap around and jam equipment at recycling facilities, causing delays or damage.
Myth: Anything with a recycling symbol should go in your recycling bin.
Fact: The “chasing arrows” symbol generally identifies the type of plastic used in a container or indicates that an item contains recycled content, but it does not mean that an item is recyclable.
Electronics Recycling
City of College Park residents can bring electronics for recycling to the drop off box near the entrance of the front doors to Davis Hall. No more than 3 items can be disposed of at no cost. Details here.
Keep Grass Clippings off the Street
As you take care of your lawn this season, make sure to not sweep or blow grass and leaves into the street. Lawn clippings and debris that are left in the street wash into storm drains and storm sewers, potentially clogging them, which may result in flooding. Debris that washes into storm sewers is transported through local waterways and eventually to the Chesapeake Bay, threatening aquatic life and drinking water quality.
Instead, you can leave the grass clippings on the lawn to recycle the nutrients or start a compost pile in your backyard (click here for a brochure from the Maryland Department of Agriculture.) You may also place clippings in paper bags or reusable containers for weekly curbside pickup on the same day as your trash and recycling collection.
Soft Yard Waste and Woody Yard Waste
Are you confused about how to separate yard waste and the difference between soft yard waste and woody brush, and why they are collected separately? Soft yard waste and woody brush are processed independently into two different end products; therefore, these materials should be prepared separately for collection and further processing.
- Soft yard waste (grass, leaves, flowers, weeds and soft clippings that are less than ½” in diameter) is picked up year-round on your regularly scheduled collection day.
- Woody yard waste (branches, shrubs, brush, and small logs) is collected year-round on Thursday and Friday by appointment only. Please email publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov or call 240-487-3590 to schedule a collection.
- Paper bags, beige yard waste carts or reusable containers can be used to contain either of these materials set out for collection.
Grasscycling
Grasscycling is the simple practice of letting grass clippings decompose on the lawn after mowing.
- Helps protect the environment by reducing the amount of grass clippings in the landfill.
- Encourages a healthier lawn by returning both macronutrients and micronutrients to the soil in a slow-release form. Can reduce fertilizer use by 25%, saving time, and money and decreasing the amount of runoff into the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
- Eliminates the need to bag or rake grass clippings.
- Does not contribute to thatch buildup or increase turf diseases. Grass clippings are largely composed of water and decompose rapidly. Microbial decomposition of clippings occurs on soils that are maintained at a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Click here for more information about lawn care and maintenance from the University of Maryland Extension.
Protecting our Tree Canopy
Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem. A majority of the City’s tree canopy is in residential neighborhoods -- this means our residents can make a big difference in helping to maintain our tree canopy!
If you have a fallen or damaged tree on your property because of the weather emergency on 7-12-2022, you can remove the tree or fallen branches without a permit. Document or photograph the damage/emergency and send to DPW after (arborist@collegeparkmd.gov). Those who wish to remove or prune a surviving tree must submit an application for a permit.
On May 10, 2022, the City Council approved Ordinance 21-O-09, which will require a permit to remove trees on residential land. Starting July 1, 2022, those who wish to remove or prune a tree must submit an application for a permit. Applications are available online, and in-person at the Department of Public Works. There is no application fee to obtain a permit.
The ordinance was enacted to limit the removal of healthy, mature trees as a measure to maintain the City’s tree canopy. The Tree and Landscape Board and City Council held numerous public meetings and incorporated changes to address many concerns and suggestions from residents.
Residents, property owners, and tree and landscape companies may have many questions about this new permitting process. Visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/trees for a list of FAQs and for the application.
Year-Round Planning for Tree Planting
Are you interested in having a tree planted on your residential property?
The city is gauging interest in a potentially new tree planting program for residents. Planting is planned for the fall.
If you are interested in having a tree planted on your property by a contractor, please complete the interest form on the City website in the trees section. Select “Tree planting on residential property” and fill out the remainder of the form, or contact horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov
Trees provide many benefits such as reduction of cooling and heating costs, interception of rainwater, increasing property values and improving air quality. The City offers a few ways to help:
- REQUESTS FOR STREET TREES. The City has a program that provides for street tree planting in the right-of-way area, which includes the grass strip between the curb and sidewalk. College Park residents interested in requesting a tree can contact the horticulturist at 240-487-3595 or horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov. The location will be inspected to determine if it is suitable.
- TREE CANOPY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (TCEP). City of College Park property owners can apply for reimbursement of up to $150.00 annually, for approved tree(s) planted on their residential lot. The completed application should be sent to horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov for review and approval. Click here for a link to the guidelines and application.
Tree Maintenance
The City is responsible for tree maintenance of street trees in the rights-of-way, City maintained buildings and parks, and on public property.
According to Maryland Law, in the aftermath of a weather-related event, which results in fallen trees and debris, or similar incidents that may be qualified as an "act of God," the affected property owners are responsible for damage to their property, including debris cleanup and removal or other related expenses. These weather event related expenses may be covered under the homeowner's insurance policy. Property owners are encouraged to contact their homeowners’ insurance company to determine policy coverage.