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

  • 5
    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.
    Pledge to dispose of pet waste properly
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    When pet waste is left on the ground, rainwater can wash it into storm drains and surface waters, contributing to nutrient pollution of local waterways. Nutrient pollution often leads to algae blooms and decreased oxygen concentration, which harm aquatic plant and animal species.

    Remember to take a bag with you to pick up your pet’s waste when you go for a walk. Leave some bags in your purse, car, or by the front door to help you remember. While pet waste can be thrown away with the trash, it adds unnecessary volume to landfills, uses plastic bags, and causes problems for trash collectors. The most environmentally friendly options are flushing the pet waste down the toilet, burying it away from food crops, or using an outdoor pet waste composter. Check out these purchasable pet waste composters.

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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.
    Minimize stockpiling of excess paint
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    In order to cut down on paint stockpiling, donate unwanted usable paint, properly dispose of outdated paint, and be sure to buy only the paint that you absolutely need. To properly store paint, close it tightly and write down the date that you opened it. Donate unwanted paint in usable condition to friends or charity organizations. Unopened paint cans can be donated at the Frederick Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 622 North Market Street, Frederick.

    Unwanted paint must be dried before being disposed of at a landfill or in the trash. To dry paint, add paint hardener available at home improvement stores or add a clumping agent such as sand, mulch, or kitty litter and allow to air dry in a well-ventilated area. Read more about proper paint disposal.

    Jul 06 DAWN HAWES

    GOOD TO KNOW. THIS WAS A NEW ONE FOR ME & I HAVE NOW CLEARED OUT OLD PAINT CANS!!

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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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