The Dorchester County Department of Public Works is responsible for managing the County’s solid waste disposal through implementation of the County Solid Waste Management Plan. The current plan was approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment on July 6, 1994. As a result of recent growth and development in the County, the Department of Public Works is in the process of preparing a revision to the Solid Waste Management Plan.

Solid waste generated in Dorchester County is disposed of at the New Beulah Sanitary Landfill located off of Maryland Route 16 north of Hurlock. The landfill is operated by the Solid Waste Division. The landfill is permitted by the Maryland Department of the Environment

In addition to the New Beulah site there are three other older closed sites in the County. Former landfills are located at Secretary, Golden Hill and Old Beulah. These landfills are covered and inactive. The Secretary site closed in 1982. Golden Hill ceased operations in July of 1991. The Department of Public Works is in the design and permitting process of reclaiming the Old Beulah landfill site by excavating existing waste in unlined cells and placing the waste in new modern lined landfill cells. The new lined cells in the Old Beulah area are projected to provide additional disposal capacity to the year 2050. Semi-annual ground water monitoring, gas monitoring and maintenance of the landfill cover are provided by the County in conformance with State regulations.

In addition to the disposal sites there are convenience centers with roll off containers and recycling bins located at the Golden Hill and Secretary sites for use by County residents and to reduce trash vehicle traffic. A third manned convenience center operating two days per week is located at the Neck District Volunteer Fire Department parking lot to serve residential customers in the Neck District. 

Currently the Landfill also accepts the sewage sludge from the Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant at no charge. In return the City of Cambridge accepts our landfill leachate at their wastewater plant at no charge.

RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL RECYCLING

The Division also provides several recycling drop-off centers in the County. Residents are allowed to bring glass, aluminum and bi-metal cans, plastic, newspaper, and magazines and corrugated cardboard to the Recycling Centers. See section on Recycling under Public Works Department or for more information call the Beulah Landfill directly at 410-943-1700 or 410-943-1092 . The Beulah Landfill location can also take waste oil, metals, white goods (appliances), excavated soil, compost materials including crab chum and agricultural products, tires, and wood materials that can be converted to compost.  The minimum required by State law is 15%. The bulk of the recycling material was the agricultural waste at the composting site.

To provide the citizens of Dorchester County environmentally sound solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services/facilities within fiscal guidelines and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.