College Park, MD (October 14, 2021) – The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that the City of Laurel was one of twelve Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference on October 12. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Maryland program.
Highlights of Laurel’s accomplishments include:
- The City began a curbside organic composting pilot program in August 2019 with 200 households participating. The compost program for the full year of 2020 collected 30 tons of food waste, resulting in a diversionary rate of $1,928. The tonnage diverted represents the equivalent of 47,618 pounds of CO2 saved. The pilot program was so successful that it has been expanded to include local businesses, and 300 more households.
- Implemented LED lighting replacement program for the City-owned street lights.
- Adopted legislation prohibiting plastic bags in retail establishments, and provides education on purchasing reusable, biodegradable and compostable alternatives.
“I am pleased that the City of Laurel has earned another three-year certification from Sustainable Maryland,” said Mayor Craig Moe. “For years, the City of Laurel has been committed to creating a healthy, sustainable environment for our current and future residents. To support and further that goal, we have created the new Environmental Program Manager position to promote and streamline all our programs to move our community towards a more sustainable future. The City is committed to working with all organizations and local governments to provide a healthy, safe environment for all of our residents. I personally appreciate all the work and resources that Sustainable Maryland provides to the local governments to help us achieve our goals.”
According to Mike Hunninghake, Program Manager for Sustainable Maryland, “During the first 10 years of the Sustainable Maryland program, if we have learned anything, it’s that reducing our footprint on where we live, be it a town, a county, a state or the planet, is vital to our continuation as a species. The work being done at the local level forms a foundation, by example and by action, for upward pressure on governments at all levels to take action to make our communities greener, cleaner and more resilient.”
For detailed information about Laurel’s sustainability initiatives, please contact Michele Blair, Environmental Programs Manager, [email protected], 301-725-5300 ext. 2203
