PRINCESS ANNE — Somerset County is back in the recycling business after the County Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Wicomico County.

"This a 10-month agreement, and then it will rollover into a one-year agreement after that," said Charles Cavanaugh, director of solid waste and maintenance.

Recycling was previously in conjunction with Wicomico County but it ceased in February 2020 as China reduced its importation of recyclables and outlets stopped accepting them as well.

At that time once profitable products like cardboard, plastic and aluminum were barely breaking even and it was becoming necessary to pay recyclers to accept the waste so instead it was landfilled, leading to complaints from the public.

Somerset County was not compliant with the Maryland Recycling Act (MRA) but the Department of the Environment allows the county to partner with a compliant jurisdiction to meet its legal requirements.

The MRA identifies glass; metals such as aluminum, tin/steel, and white goods; paper and cardboard products; and mixed plastic bottles except those that contained automotive fluids or chemicals as recyclable. Somerset County is required to transport these commodities to Wicomico County’s Brick Kiln Road recycling center for processing.

The MOU is up for yearly renewal but can be canceled with 30-days notice by either party. The commissioners at their Aug. 17 meeting voted to have President Craig Mathies Sr. sign the agreement.