Celebrating 15 Years with Sustainable Maryland

Join us in celebrating Sustainable Maryland's 15th anniversary in 2026! SM wouldn't be the program it is today without the incredible support of municipal and community partners who have participated in our program over the years. 

To celebrate this anniversary, we are asking our registered and certified municipalities to provide us with some testimonials and photos from all of your SM certification work over the years. We are planning to use these submissions for some of our anniversary programming later this year. Send us:

• your best stories
• innovative projects that were certified
• photos of your Green Team or events
• links to your Green Team websites / social media
• your Green Team's logo (see a few below)
• other SM-related gems you have

We look forward to seeing your submissions and sharing them with the broader SM community! 

CORRECTED LINK BELOW

Click here to submit your information

SM Welcomes New Sponsor WasteZero

SM is pleased to welcome a new corporate sponsor to the program. WasteZero, a U.S.-based environmental services company that partners with municipalities, waste haulers, and organizations to reduce waste and improve materials management. Founded in 1991, WasteZero is a certified Benefit Corporation that designs and implements programs that encourage residents to generate less trash. The company provides program design, public outreach, and logistical support, focusing on customized strategies that incorporate incentives and fairness for residents. WasteZero’s programs have helped hundreds of communities reduce landfill waste, decrease reliance on incineration, increase recycling, and achieve meaningful environmental and financial benefits.

WasteZero recently worked with the City of Greenbelt to develop an innovative Pay As You Throw program called Flex that is driving waste reduction and enabling residents to save money. For more information, contact Kristen Brown at kbrown@wastezero.com

Sustainable Maryland

2026 Certification Webinar - April 8

Join Sustainable Maryland staff on Wednesday, April 8th from 1:00 - 2:30pm for an overview of the 2026 Sustainable Maryland certification cycle and a review of the new certification tier. Register here.

SM Green Team Trainings

SM staff held several of our Green Team Trainings all across the state in the first months of 2026, including with Bel Air, University Park, Cambridge, Kensington, Berwyn Heights, and Snow Hill. All of these towns are planning to apply for SM re-certification in 2026, so a refresher about the program and their Green Team Action Plans is the perfect way to tee that up.

Let us know if your town would like to schedule a Green Team Training - contact mikeh75@umd.edu

Berwyn Heights

Kensington

Montgomery Green Business Certification Program

The Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program is a voluntary program that recognizes businesses and organizations committed to reducing their environmental impact and operating more sustainably. Participants earn certification at one of four tiers based on points accumulated through sustainable practices and become part of a supportive community of like-minded organizations. Certified businesses receive public recognition through social media, Ride On bus campaigns, and other promotional opportunities. Check out the program website here.