After Smelly Summer, Republic Services Invites Community To Lunch

WHITE MARSH, MD — Community members around the Honeygo Reclamation Facility raised concerns about the smell in their neighborhood over the summer. The odor was like a rotten egg, according to residents. Now, the owner of the facility is inviting residents in for lunch.

Maryland Senator J.B. Jennings, who intervened on behalf of constituents, asked the Maryland Department of the Environment to investigate. State officials informed him at the end of September that the matter was considered a "high priority" and personnel confirmed "strong odors" around Philadelphia, Ebenezer and Silver Spring roads.

Republic Services, which owns the facility, pledged to treat its leachate (water that has gone through soil) with compounds to minimize odor, install carbon filters on tank vents and cover waste with soil more frequently.

"If you live near the Honeygo Reclamation Facility, you are probably aware of the odor issue that began to affect the local community over the summer," Jennings wrote in a letter to the community Tuesday. "While corrective measures are being taken to remedy the problem, Republic Services, which owns the facility, is hosting an open house for the community."

The open house will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, according to Jennings, who said: "A catered lunch will be provided and locals are invited to ask questions and tour the facility."

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Image via Google street view.