Maryland’s current food residuals law impacts a wide range of businesses, including schools, supermarkets, and food courts. Companies generating just 1-2 tons of food waste weekly must divert that waste from landfills if they’re within 30 miles of a composting facility.
The penalty for non-compliance? Potentially steep fines and regulatory headaches.
But smart business owners see opportunity here. Companies that lower their waste diversion rate often slash disposal costs by 30-40% while staying ahead of regulations. With landfill tipping fees rising each year, every improvement adds up fast.
The first step is scheduling a waste assessment. Reach out to the team at Eagle Transfer to get started.
What Is Waste Diversion Rate?
Your waste diversion rate shows what percentage of your total waste is diverted from the landfill through recycling, composting, or reuse.
How to calculate waste diversion rate:
- Weight of diverted waste ÷ Total waste generated × 100 = Diversion rate percentage
Example: Generate 10 tons monthly, recycle/compost 4 tons = 40% diversion rate
What counts as diverted waste:
- Cardboard, plastics, and metals sent for recycling
- Food scraps sent to composting facilities
- Organic waste for anaerobic digestion
- Materials reused on-site or sold to other businesses (i.e., pallets)
The national average sits around 32%, but many facilities achieve 60-80% with the right approach.
Why Maryland Businesses Need A Waste Reduction Plan
Maryland takes waste reduction seriously. In 2024, the state passed increasingly strict requirements:
Current law:
- Businesses generating 1+ tons of food waste weekly must divert from landfills
- Only applies if a composting facility exists within 30 miles
- Requires annual reporting to state regulators
For more information, view the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Compliance Guide for Regulations.
What’s coming:
- The 2025 legislative session proposed $2/ton disposal surcharge
- Additional funding for waste diversion programs
- Likely expansion to more waste types beyond food
Getting ahead of these changes now means:
- Locking in better rates with waste haulers, like ETS
- Avoiding rushed implementation later
- Building relationships with processing facilities before demand spikes
Real Money: The Cost Benefits of Higher Diversion
Direct cost reductions:
- Lower landfill disposal fees (immediate savings)
- Reduced pickup frequency for trash service
- Smaller dumpster sizes needed
ETS offers a variety of dumpster sizes, including smaller sizes, that will meet your needs.
Revenue opportunities:
- Clean cardboard: $50-100 per ton
- Aluminum cans: $1,000+ per ton
- High-grade office paper: $30-80 per ton
- Scrap metal varies by type and market conditions
Operational improvements:
- Less time spent managing overflowing dumpsters
- Cleaner facilities with better-organized waste areas
- Reduced pest issues from organic waste
Hidden savings:
- Lower workers’ comp claims from easier waste handling
- Reduced facility cleaning costs
- Energy savings from on-site material reuse
How to Calculate Your Current Rate
Before improving anything, you need baseline numbers. Here’s the step-by-step process:
Week 1: Track everything
- Weigh or estimate all waste leaving your facility
- Separate categories: recyclables, organics, trash
- Document pickup frequencies and container sizes
- Note contamination issues in recycling streams
Week 2: Analyze the data
- Add the total weights for each category
- Calculate: (recyclables + organics) ÷ total waste × 100
- Identify your largest waste streams
- Spot obvious improvement opportunities
Set realistic targets:
- New programs: Aim for 50% diversion in the first year
- Existing programs: Target 10-15% annual improvements
- Focus on your heaviest waste streams first
From Space Limits to Single-Stream Recycling: Simple Fixes to Common Waste Issues
“We don’t have space for more containers.”
- Use stackable recycling bins
- Implement compactors for cardboard
- Schedule more frequent pickups for recyclables
“Employees keep contaminating recycling.”
- Post clear photos of acceptable items at each bin
- Start with just one material type (cardboard only)
- Provide quick training during shift changes
“There’s no composting facility nearby.”
- Check with your waste hauler for food waste programs
- Consider on-site composting for landscaping waste
- Partner with local farms for food scraps
“Startup costs seem high.”
- Most programs break even within 12-18 months
- Start small with the highest-value materials first
- Many waste haulers provide containers at no charge
“We don’t know what we’re actually throwing away.”
- Schedule a waste assessment (Many haulers offer this for free.)
- Have managers observe waste disposal for one week
- Check dumpsters before pickup to see what’s inside
Getting Started: Your 90-Day Action Plan
Days 1-30: Assessment
- Contact ETS or your current waste hauler about diversion options
- Walk through your facility and identify waste generation points
- Talk to employees about current disposal habits
- Research local recycling and composting facilities
Days 31-60: Planning
- Get quotes for additional recycling services
- Design container placement and signage
- Create simple training materials for staff
- Set specific, measurable goals
Days 61-90: Implementation
- Install new containers and signage
- Train all employees on new procedures
- Monitor contamination and adjust as needed
- Track weights and calculate the initial diversion rate
How ETS Makes This Easier
Eagle Transfer Services handles waste diversion projects across Maryland, from small restaurants to large manufacturing facilities. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.
Benefits we provide:
- Free waste assessments to identify your best opportunities
- Connections with regional recycling, anaerobic digestion, and composting facilities
- Custom container solutions that fit your space
- Staff training that sticks
- Regular monitoring to keep programs on track
Our process:
- Site visit and waste analysis – We spend time understanding your specific situation
- Custom solution design – One size doesn’t fit all; we tailor programs to your needs
- Implementation support – We handle setup, training, and initial monitoring
- Ongoing optimization – Monthly check-ins and adjustments as needed
Recent results:
- As part of a green initiative by their corporate office, one customer recently installed single-stream recycling receptacles in their break room and office space. This was an easy win for both the company’s waste diversion program and employee satisfaction.
Ready to Cut Your Waste Costs?
Improving your waste diversion rate isn’t rocket science, but it does require planning and follow-through. The businesses that succeed are the ones that treat it like any other operational improvement project.
Whether you’re facing regulatory pressure or just want to reduce operating costs, the math works. Higher diversion rates mean lower disposal fees, potential revenue from recyclables, and often improved operational efficiency.
Next steps:
- Schedule a waste assessment to see where you stand
- Get quotes for expanding recycling services
- Start with your highest-volume waste streams
Let Eagle Transfer Services provide a straightforward assessment of your waste diversion opportunities. We’ll show you what’s possible and help you build a plan that makes financial sense.
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Learn more →I've been using this company for my business for years. They are always on time and professional. I highly recommend them for all your waste management needs!
These guys are great! They always go above and beyond to make sure my trash is taken care of. I would recommend them to anyone.
