In celebration of America Recycles Day 2009, Montgomery County’s Division of Solid Waste Services (DSWS) in the Department of Environmental Protection has announced that activities will be held at four sites around the county during the weekend of November 14 and 15. America Recycles Day is designated each November 15 to renew recycling efforts and increase recycling awareness in communities across the country.

Activities will include paper shredding/recycling and donation events for Montgomery County residents only. They may bring up to five paper bags or small office paper-sized boxes of personal papers per person for on-site shredding, as well as unlimited donations of clothing and household goods in usable and working condition. In addition, DSWS staff and volunteers will be available at each of the locations to provide residents with information on recycling, waste reduction and buying recycled products.

The events will take place on the following dates at the locations listed:

Saturday, November 14 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring; and

• Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown 

Sunday, November 15 – 8 a.m. to noon

• John F. Kennedy High School, 1901 Randolph Rd., Silver Spring

Sunday, November 15 –1 to 5 p.m.

• Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd., Bethesda.

The following public-private partners assisted DSWS in developing the America Recycles Day activities in Montgomery County: Eastern Montgomery and Upcounty Regional Services Centers, Office Paper Systems, The Arc of Montgomery County Thrift Store, The Lupus Foundation of America, Vietnam Veterans of America and the National Children’s Center, Inc.

For more information on the events scheduled and for tips on reducing waste, buying products made with recycled content, reusing and recycling, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/recycling or contact DSWS at 240-777-6410.