Recycling in Action: Inside the Baltimore County MRF
May is Recycling in Action Month, an initiative that highlights the power of recycling through facility tours and firsthand experiences. To kick off the month, the SWANA team joined partners and policymakers for an up‑close look at recycling in action at the Baltimore County Materials Recycling Facility (MRF).
What Is Recycling in Action Month?
Organized by The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Recycling in Action Month takes place each May and aims to demystify the recycling process by opening the doors of recycling facilities across North America. Through guided tours, participants see exactly what happens after materials are placed in the bin—from collection and sorting to preparation for end markets.
These tours help build public trust recycling systems while highlighting the people, technology, and investment that keep valuable materials in circulation and out of landfills.
"There’s a lot of commentary out there about whether recycling “really works, says SWANA CEO Amy Lestition Burke, MA, FASAE, CAE. "That’s exactly why Recycling in Action Month exists. When you walk through a facility, watch materials move through the system, and talk with the people doing this work every day, one thing becomes very clear: recycling really does happen." "
A Closer Look at the Baltimore County MRF
During our visit to the Baltimore County MRF, SWANA staff joined by representatives from the SWANA Mid‑Atlantic Chapter, the Maryland Recycling Network, the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Department of General Services, and Maryland State Delegates Susan L. K. Szeliga and Robin L. Grammer, Jr. Nawrocki.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the informative tour of Baltimore County’s recycling facility,” says Delegate Ryan Nawrocki. “Seeing firsthand the process of sorting and preparing materials for the next phase of the recycling journey was a great experience. I thank the hardworking employees who keep this facility running each and every day.”
Inside the facility, we saw advanced sorting technology paired with skilled workers who ensure materials are properly separated and prepared for local markets. The result is a remarkably clean recycling stream that supports manufacturing and keeps materials moving through the circular economy.
From optical sorters to quality control processes, the tour offered a clear picture of the complexity and precision required to produce high‑quality recyclables. Watch a video of the Baltimore County MRF in action.
Why Facility Tours Matter
Seeing a recycling facility firsthand is one of the most effective ways to understand how modern recycling systems operate—and why correct recycling behavior matters. Recycling in Action Month tours provide transparency, foster confidence in recycling programs, and reinforce the importance of reducing contamination.
For industry professionals, policymakers, and community members alike, these experiences highlight the operational, environmental, and economic value of well‑run recycling facilities.
Recycling in Action Near You
Recycling in Action Month continues throughout May with tours across the country. Whether you work in waste and resource management or simply want to learn more about what happens to your recyclables, there’s likely a facility tour near you.
Thank You to Our Hosts and Partners
SWANA thanks The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for organizing Recycling in Action Month, Maryland Recycling Network for support in organizing this tour, and Baltimore County for hosting this informative and engaging tour. These opportunities are essential to educating stakeholders, strengthening recycling systems, and advancing sustainable materials management.
Recycling works, and Recycling in Action Month shows us how.