The Resource Management Program within the Land and Materials Administration of the Maryland Department of the Environment regulates several activities to ensure the protection of public health and the environment. These include, but are not limited to:
Regulating the discharges from animal feeding operations (AFO);
Responsible for the implementation of Maryland’s waste diversion programs, including recycling, source reduction, and the review and evaluation of county solid waste and recycling management plans;
Regulating composting facilities;
Regulating the utilization of sewage sludge (Biosolids);
Regulating the clean-up, storage, collection, transferring, hauling, recycling, and processing of scrap tires; and
Announcements
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a
safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription
drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for
abuse of medications. The web page also give the ability to search for year round pharmaceutical disposal locations.
The next take back day is on April 22, 2023 from 10 AM to 2 PM
Animal Feeding Operations (AFO)
An "Animal Feeding Operation (AFO)" means a feedlot or facility where:
- Non-aquatic animals are confined, fed, and maintained for at least 45 days in any 12-month period; and
- Crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility.
Regulations for AFOs became effective January 12, 2009. AFO regulations and the General Discharge Permit (GD Permit) are designed to control nutrients from Maryland’s largest agricultural animal operations and are a significant step forward in protecting the Chesapeake Bay, local waterways, and our drinking water.
For additional information or questions, go to the AFO web page or contact Darren Alles by email or phone at 410-537-3314.
Waste Diversion
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) promotes and encourages waste diversion across the State of Maryland. Waste diversion combines both recycling and source reduction activities.
MDE works toward Maryland's waste diversion goals by partnering with Maryland's jurisdictions and the public and private sectors to develop markets for recyclable materials and by working with other State agencies to increase the volume of materials diverted from landfills.
For additional information or questions, go to the Waste Diversion web page or contact David Mrgich by email or phone at 410-537-3314.
Composting
Compostable materials such as food scraps and yard trimmings make up nearly 30% of all municipal solid waste generated in the U.S. Instead of disposing of this material in landfills and incinerators, composting uses organic material to create a valuable product with environmental and economic benefits.
Recycling of some organic materials, such as yard trimmings and manure,
is widespread in Maryland. One area of growing interest is food scraps
diversion. Though only an estimated 15.5% of food scraps was recycled
in Maryland in 2019, much of the remaining material could be prevented,
used to feed humans or animals, or composted.
For additional information or questions, go to the Organics Diversion and Composting web page or contact Tariq Masood by email or phone at 410-537-3314.
Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU)
Sewage sludge (also known as biosolids) is not sewage, but rather is one of the final products of treated sewage at a sewage (wastewater) treatment plant. Sewage sludge is the fine particulate matter remaining after treatment which breaks down organic matter and destroys disease organisms in sewage. The application of sewage sludge to land returns essential nutrients to the soil, adds organic matter, and can improve the tillability and moisture retention capability of the soil. A SSU Permit is required for any person who collects, incinerates, stores, treats, applies to land, transports or disposes of sewage sludge or septage in Maryland. (factsheet)
For additional information or questions, go to the Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit Application web page or contact Mev Jerry Egbegbadia or phone at 410-537-3314.
Scrap Tires
Scrap tires, because of their size, shape and associated environmental hazards, present both difficult and costly disposal and recycling challenges for the entities responsible for overseeing their management. MDE's Scrap Tire Program is dedicated to ensuring the cleanup of illegal scrap tire stockpiles and to managing the collection, transportation, recycling, and processing of the scrap tires generated in Maryland.
For additional information or questions, go to Maryland's Scrap Tire Program web page or contact Abby Pascual by email or phone at 410-537-3314.
Contact Information
For additional information or questions email the Resource Management Program or phone at 410-537-3314.
