Maryland § 9-1714

§ 9-1714.

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “office building” means a building that has 150,000 square feet or greater of office space.

        (2)    This section does not affect the authority of a county or municipality to:

            (i)    Enact and enforce recycling requirements, including establishing civil penalties, for an office building; or

            (ii)    Alter or exempt a person from recycling requirements:

                1.    Due to special circumstances that are identified by the office building owner in an application to the county or municipality for an alteration or exemption; or

                2.    In response to changing market conditions that affect the county or municipality.

        (3)    This section does not require a county to manage or enforce the recycling activities of an office building that is located within the boundaries of a municipality.

    (b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, on or before October 1, 2021, each owner of an office building shall provide:

            (i)    Recycling receptacles for the collection of recyclable materials; and

            (ii)    For the removal for further recycling of the following materials, as determined by the county or municipality in which the building is located, deposited into the recycling receptacles:

                1.    Paper and cardboard;

                2.    Metal; and

                3.    Plastic materials.

        (2)    On agreement between an office building owner and the tenant of the office building, a tenant may carry out the recycling required under this subsection.

        (3)    A county may require an office building owner or a tenant of an office building that provides for recycling in accordance with this subsection to report to the county on recycling activities in a manner determined by the county.

    (c)    The recycling required under subsection (b) of this section shall be carried out in accordance with the recycling plan required under § 9–1703 of this subtitle for the county in which the office building is located.

    (d)    An enforcement unit, officer, or official of a county or municipality may conduct inspections to enforce this section.