Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has released its “2023 Year in Review” video showcasing a year of dedication, progress, and environmental stewardship.
The video is available on the DEP website and social media channels. It of
fers a comprehensive overview of the department’s initiatives, achievements, and community engagement from the past year and includes a look ahead to 2024.
“Our County is fortunate to have so many dedicated people working hard every day to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving our air, water and land,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Through important environmental programs such as the Commercial Food Scraps Recycling Program, our water quality projects with our nonprofits and our partnerships with local businesses through the Electrified Dealer Program, DEP ’s work with community members and businesses demonstrates that we can all work together to shape a better future.”
Highlights featured in DEP’s “2023 Year in Review” video include:
Renewable Energy Milestones:
- More than 20 auto dealers are now offering consumers electric vehicle incentives through the Electrified Dealer Program.
- DEP hosted the 10th Annual Energy Summit, bringing the public, innovators, and County leadership together to discuss progress and trends in residential and commercial energy efficiency and renewable energy. The 2024 Summit is scheduled for April 15-16, click here for more information.
- DEP helped residents recycle more than 3,000 bulbs through our light bulb exchanges.
- DEP is preparing to track energy use and planning for energy improvements that will take place in more than 1,900 buildings County-wide.
Protecting and Preserving the Watershed:
- DEP completed the installation of 35 flood sensors in flood-prone areas to enhance the County’s emergency response efforts.
- DEP maintained or inspected 16,000 stormwater facilities, keeping pollution out of streams.
- DEP funded its 100th grant to local nonprofits for water quality improvement projects.
- The RainScapes program grew more than 1,800 native plants with MCPS high school students.
- The Tree Montgomery program surpassed 11,000 trees planted since the program started in 2015.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Successes:
- DEP expanded the materials accepted for reuse and recycling to include durable medical equipment, mattresses and box springs, audio/video tapes and handheld electronics.
- The Commercial Food Scraps Recycling program collected more than 810,000 pounds of food scraps.
- Nearly 1,500 homes in parts of Silver Spring, Potomac and Bethesda are participating in a Single-Family Residential Food Scraps Recycling Pilot and have recycled nearly 900,000 pounds of food scraps.
“I want to thank our community and our staff for their individual and collective contributions that have made our 2023 accomplishments possible,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “As we celebrate our 2023 work highlighted in the ‘Year in Review’ video, I invite all community members and businesses to continue to take action to improve our environment and public health. Together, we are building a more sustainable and resilient Montgomery County.”
The efforts are working toward helping the County reach the goals in its Climate Action Plan.
“Congratulations to the team at DEP for their many successes in 2023 in partnership with businesses and local communities,” said County Climate Change Officer Sarah Kogel Smucker. “The video demonstrates the significant effect of DEP’s work on just climate change and environmental solutions. I look forward to the drive and leadership DEP will bring to significantly advancing the County’s ambitious climate change goals in 2024.”
