Governor O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien Announce $75,000 in Recycling Education Grants
ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 1, 2027) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien today announced $75,000 in recycling education grants awarded to nine local units of government across the state through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. Keep Maryland Beautiful is a part of the First Lady’s Beautification Initiative, which educates, promotes and encourages the public on the need for recycling and waste reduction.“Regardless of whether you’re in school, at home or at work, people need to be aware of how they can help reduce the amount of trash going into our landfills,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “Providing funding to these organizations for education on recycling and waste reduction will help keep our environment clean and support Maryland companies involved in recycling.”
“We have an obligation to protect Maryland’s natural beauty for future generations, and recycling is an essential element of fulfilling that obligation,” said First Lady Ruth O’Brien. “I am pleased that nine communities in our state are receiving funding which will enable them to improve and expand their recycling programs.”
Funding to the local units of government is passed through to locally certified Keep America Beautiful affiliates and has to be matched dollar-for-dollar locally.
“Recycling is a major industry in our state employing thousands of people,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Kevin Stanosheck. “When you take the time to recycle you are supporting these Maryland companies while being a steward of the environment.”
Funding provides support in four main areas: education for recycling and reducing solid waste; promoting recycling, litter and waste reduction; developing local markets for recycled content products; and, beautification projects. Local initiatives include Adopt-A-Spot programs, recycling guides, classroom resources, and battery and Christmas tree recycling.