Program Overview
DEQ’s Recycling program assists Montana citizens, businesses, and local and state governmental agencies in preventing pollution and reducing by providing resource information and technical assistance about environmental management issues encompassing waste reduction and recycling, pollution prevention, and sustainability practices.
Recycling in Montana comes with barriers that most other states do not have. Due to our low population density and large geographical area, it is very difficult to find markets for materials that are both economically and environmentally sustainable and desirable. Currently, Montanans recycle about 19 percent of the waste generated here. The DEQ Recycling program aims to assist citizens, local and state government, business, non-profits, and other stakeholders in finding creative uses for discarded materials.
The program also is responsible for implementing the Montana Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (IWMP) as required under the Montana Integrated Waste Management Act. The program is responsible for reducing solid and hazardous wastes in Montana through source reduction, increased reuse, recycling, and composting as well as finding creative ways to market wastes as materials and commodities.
Recycling Program Contacts
Solid Waste Section Supervisor
Fred Collins
Materials Management Specialist
Dusti Johnson
Materials Management Specialist
Megan Wingard
Featured Guidance
Upcoming Events
Hunger Action Heroes - National Challenge
This is an opportunity for students can earn scholarships for their school by participating in the challenge. The challenge is open through March 2027 and the winner earns a trip to San Diego Comic-Con 2027 (six days, five nights: July 21-26, including travel, hotel), a $750 college scholarship, a $3,000 grant for their school, $1,000 to donate to an organization of their choice.
Students can enter by choosing an action to take in their own community, which can include starting or expanding a school composting program, reducing cafeteria food waste, and/or launching a food rescue effort.