Use this page to find actions that your household has completed or plans to complete. Browse the categories on the left to find actions for the Power Saver, Green Leader, or Renewable Star Challenge.

Once you have signed in, you can click Add to My Challenge to add an action to your To Do List, Already Completed to mark an action as complete, or Not Applicable if the action does not apply to you.

Once signed in, you can rate each of the actions you have completed.
The highest rated action appear under the Most Popular Actions category.

ACTIONS

  • 1
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Shop with reusable bags
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Each year, the United States consumes about 100 billion plastic bags made from approximately 12,000,000 barrels of oil. Most of these bags end up in landfills or in the environment, causing pollution and endangering wildlife. Reusable bags can cut back on this waste. To help yourself remember to take them to the store, try leaving a few in your car or by your front door. If you have plastic bags to get rid of, stuff them in one or more bags and tie them up. Then drop them in your recycling bin or the plastic bag recycling bins provided by many local grocery stores. For more information, check out the trailer for “Bag It,” a movie about the harmful effects of plastic on the environment.

    Apr 23 Stephanie Van

    I have a small reusable bag in my purse at all times and when grocery shopping I have 3 reusable bags

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  • 1
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Use reusable dishes, utensils, and/or napkins
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Avoid using disposable dishes, utensils, and napkins. Instead, use reusable dishes at home, wash and reuse cloth napkins, pick up a set of washable items to keep at work, and purchase reusable containers to store food in the refrigerator. Going to a potluck or picnic? Take a set of your own dishes, utensils, and reusable containers rather than using disposable products. You can even consider investing in some reusable glass containers for leftovers, which are safer for microwaving and dishwashing repeatedly. Set a good example for kids by packing them “Waste Free Lunches.”

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  • 1
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Properly dispose of used fluorescent light bulbs
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Incorrect disposal of CFL bulbs and fluorescent tubes can result in mercury being released into the environment. The Common Market in Frederick and chains such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, IKEA, and MOM’s Organic Market provide free CFL recycling to customers.

    In addition, fluorescent bulbs can be disposed of at free Frederick County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days held at 5370 Public Safety Place, Frederick. For more information on drop-off days, call 301.600.1848.

    Make sure to follow instructions for proper clean-up if you break a fluorescent bulb.

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  • 2
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Recycle using curbside pick-up or recycling center drop-off
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    The average American produces about 4.5 pounds of trash each day, adding up to 1.5 tons each year. Though 75% of this waste is recyclable, only 30% is recycled. Many common trash items can be recycled, including paper, cardboard, glass, and appropriate plastics. But, some items cannot be included with curbside collection, such as snack food bags, plastic wrapping material, Styrofoam, PVC, and plastics without a recycling code.

    Some Frederick County renters are not eligible for curbside pick-up recycling. Recyclable items can also be dropped off at the Frederick recycling center at 9031 Reich’s Ford Road open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For a full guide to Frederick County recycling, check out “A Citizen’s Guide to Waste Management in Frederick County.” Be sure that you don’t make any of the common recycling mistakes!

    Visit LearnMoreRecycleBetter.org to sign up for the Frederick County recycling newsletter, request a free recycling bin for curbside pick-up, or upgrade your recycling bin to a larger size.

    Create a recycling routine in your home in order to educate and prepare the next generation of recyclers. You can even borrow a recycling education kit for homeschooling, classrooms, scout groups, and youth groups.

    Apr 23 Stephanie Van

    Recycle bin goes out every other week on Wednesday night

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  • 2
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Recycle specialty items, such as tires and electronics
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Some specialty items cannot be included with your single stream curbside collection due to material make-up or safety issues. The Frederick recycling center at 9031 Reich’s Ford Road accepts oversized rigid plastics, flexible foam, appliances, air conditioners, scrap metal, automotive materials, yard waste, antifreeze, car batteries, and motor oil Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Exceptions include electronics and tires which must be brought into the main landfill entrance or other specialty recycling centers.

    The Department of Solid Waste Management hosts free Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days each year for Frederick County residents at 5370 Public Safety Place, Frederick. Hazardous waste drop-off items include: medicines, fuels, solvents, pesticides, mercury thermometers, and more. For more information on drop-off days, call 301.600.1848. For a full guide to Frederick County recycling, check out “A Citizen’s Guide to Waste Management in Frederick County.”

    Electronics can be recycled at chain stores such as Best Buy, hhgregg, Office Depot, and Staples. Use the EPA Electronics Donation and Recycling search to find a location near you. Select computer manufacturers and cell phone stores also accept electronics for recycling. Check out this video to learn about why you should recycle electronics.

    Check out Earth911 for additional Maryland locations for specialty recycling, or call 1.800.CLEANUP.

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