Harford County Partners with School System on Recycling Initiative; Ballfield Program is Joint Effort to Keep Parks, School Fields Clean

From Harford County government:

The Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation has teamed up with Harford County Public Schools to introduce recycling at ball fields and parks in the county.

After a successful pilot program at specific sites, Parks and Recreation, with the help of the school system, has distributed 400 recycling cans throughout the county. This initiative will expand single stream recycling to all county parks and school grounds. The Department of Public Works’ Recycling Office and the Department of Administration’s Sustainability Office have also assisted in launching this program.

“Introducing recycling at our parks and ball fields is something that we have been working toward for a while and is something that the public has stated in the past that they would like to see,” said Arden McClune, Director of the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation. “This program shows how multiple agencies can work together to affect change and introduce positive initiatives. The end result is something which makes a lot of sense and we are confident that the program will be a success.”

Most of the recyclable material will be collected by Parks and Recreation maintenance crews. There are five larger park sites where Parks and Recreation has placed Commercial Roll Off Dumpster Rentals for direct pick-up by a contractor. The sites include: Churchville, Cedar Lane Park, Mariner Point Park, Tucker Field and Flying Point Park.

“This is a major step in our efforts to provide a comprehensive and systemic recycling program for all of the areas our students work and play,” said Andrew Cassilly, Resource Conservation Manager with Harford County Public Schools.

“My office has a great working relationship with the schools in providing education and resources to the students. We are excited that our unified efforts are showing such positive results,” said Bob Ernst, Recycling Programs Manager with the Harford County Department of Public Works.

The Recycling Program is part of the 2013 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan, which includes the ability to “incorporate sustainable development and conservation practices in all Parks and Recreation parks and facilities.”