Hogan rescinds zero waste goals

On Wednesday, June 28, Governor Hogan issued an executive order rescinding his predecessor Governor O’Malley’s executive order prohibiting new landfill permits and calling for an 85% diversion rate of trash in Maryland landfills by 2040 and a statewide 65% recycling rate by 2020. O’Malley’s executive order, issued in his final days in office, was grounded in stats that indicated residents of Maryland throw away more trash each year than any other place in the country. O’Malley also stated that this executive order would help reduce the burden trash places on taxpayers, greatly minimize litter, and conserve energy. Hogan’s issued executive order completely repeals O’Malley’s zero waste executive order because, according to the Governor’s statements given to the Maryland Municipal League, Hogan felt O’Malley’s order placed an undue burden on local governments and stripped local authorities of their autonomy and control. Wednesday’s announcement does not affect the bulk of the state’s comprehensive zero waste plan; the Maryland Department of the Environment continues its work on many of the 61 proposed initiatives. These initiatives, however, are voluntary; the teeth were in the recycling goals. Hogan’s announcement also insists that the state will maintain an emphasis on reducing, reusing, and recycling waste, but there has not been any further information released on those plans. According to MDE Secretary Ben Grumbles, the Governor’s new plan is about “changing the policy to be more collaborative” but “not changing the law,” as reported by the Baltimore Sun. Hogan’s reckless executive order doesn’t adequately represent the concerns and needs of the Governor’s constituents. With Maryland on track to reach full capacity at its landfills in 31 years, this executive order is putting the residents of Maryland and the environment at risk. Recycling is a very popular constituent service and far cheaper than landfilling or incineration; rescinding those goals is counter to efforts many counties are already motivated to achieve. When more counties have high recycling rates, the systems become more streamlined, the materials become more valuable, and the whole state sees economic gains.Recycling rates were at a standstill of 43% in Maryland before O’Malley issued his executive order, prompting ambitious long-term goals to increase those rates. These recycling rates will continue to be at a standstill without a clear plan to increase them. Furthermore, Governor Hogan’s claims that local governments felt burdened, justifying this executive order, are blatantly false. While county governments raised concerns in 2015 about the swift implementation of new landfill rules, state and local officials have been in negotiations together to meet the spirit of the O’Malley order. It is unclear who Hogan consulted when drafting the executive order or who he is trying to protect.