Cumberland residents and businesses are embracing curbside recycling. The City of Cumberland recently asked Burgmeier’s Hauling, Inc., for an update on recycling efforts and asked, “how is Cumberland’s performance as a community in recycling?”
Burgmeier’s response was great news. “Cumberland is exceeding community recycling expectations with roughly 30% of households actively participating in the recycling program. That level of participation so early in a new program is exceptional. In other areas it has taken years to reach that level. In fact, Cumberland is on track to keep 61 tons of recycling out of the landfill by the end of August. Way to go Cumberland!”
Cumberland curbside participants are recycling on average 6 to 9 tons of co-mingled material per week and 4 tons of paper per week. Additionally, residents are putting a good quality of recycling materials out on the curb each week. A very minimum amount of Cumberland’s recycling collections have been considered contaminated, or not recyclable.
“Information provided by Burgmeier’s shows that Cumberland residents have embraced the recycling program and are making full use of it. It demonstrates the strong desire in our community for this additional service and even better news is coming in the form of expanded recycling opportunities, still at no additional cost to city residents,” said Mayor Brian Grim.
Burgmeier’s is expanding their collection of plastic containers. Plastics #1, #2, #4, #5, and #7 are now being accepted in the burgundy recycling bins. Numbers of plastics can be found inside the triangular recycling symbol found on the bottoms of most plastic containers. The only restrictions are the size. Containers must be larger than 2” X 2” and no larger than 2 gallon.
Recycling will continue for Cumberland trash customers and collections occur on the first trash day of each week, running on an alternating week schedule of co-mingled products one week and mixed papers the following week. Recyclable co-mingle products include plastic containers, glass containers, aluminum and metal cans. Mixed paper recycling includes newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office paper and phone books. Cardboard is accepted if broken down and flattened into no larger than 24 inch bundles. Hard covered books, tissues and paper towels are not accepted.
Brush, grass clippings and other yard waste are not accepted in recycling. Please consider composting these items at the Allegany County compost site at the North Branch Industrial Park or place yard waste in suitable bundles on the curb with garbage. Garbage bags, containers and yard waste bundles may not exceed 40 pounds.
The burgundy recycling cans are provided by Burgmeier’s Hauling for recycling collection and are not meant to be used for any purpose other than recycling collection. The burgundy containers should not be used for refuse or yard waste.
For questions regarding the City of Cumberland’s recycling and refuse program, please call Burgmeier’s Hauling at 301-777-0416 or City Hall at 301-759-6604. Questions about bulk item collection should be referred to Public Works at 301-759-6620.