Bethesda Green and Bethesda Urban Partnership have launched a pilot project to place recycling bins in downtown Bethesda. The primary objective is to learn how best to create a cost-effective, successful recycling program that can be scaled up after the pilot.

Bethesda Green is responsible for raising the funds for the acquisition and maintenance of the bins through sponsorship from businesses, residents and other organizations. Honest Tea and The Coca-Cola Company donated $1,000 toward the purchase and maintenance of each recycling bin in the pilot program and 15 other groups offered matching funds as co-sponsors.  Each bin has a plaque with the name of the sponsor(s) and an environmental “educational fact” displayed to increase public awareness of the importance of environmental conservation.

Bethesda Urban Partnership empties the trash receptacles and transports material to the Montgomery County Transfer Station where the County will sort recyclable contents.

Bethesda Green and Bethesda Urban Partnership are testing two different style bins to evaluate their efficacy regarding bin quality, contamination, aesthetics and durability. 

Big Belly bins are placed in Woodmont Triangle, Veterans Park and Victor Stanley bins are at Bethesda Row and at Metro Park.  All bins are co-located with existing trash receptacles.