The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that the City of Gaithersburg was one of 18 Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference. The Town was certified at the Silver level.
According to a press release by the City, Gaithersburg is also this year’s Sustainable Maryland “Sustainability Champion”, amassing an impressive 715 points on their application, more than any other community that was certified in 2025.
“As a Sustainable Maryland Certified city since 2013, the City of Gaithersburg has always prioritized safeguarding natural resources, building a welcoming community, and meeting the needs of our residents,” said Mayor Jud Ashman. “We’ve seen an increase in demand for compost drop-off sites, and thanks to the Sustainable Maryland Action Grant, we were able to meet this demand and open our third municipal composting site. Adapting to a rapidly changing world requires more circular processes and greater collaboration across various stakeholders. This project is a perfect example of what can happen when all those components come together! It’s a win-win for all.”
According to Mike Hunninghake, Director of the Sustainable Maryland program, “Municipalities know that, now more than ever, they need to be prepared for the shocks associated with climate change. In the absence of federal leadership, local governments are proactively leading the way to a more sustainable, carbon-neutral, and equitable path to the future. The actions of this year’s Sustainable Maryland Certified communities collectively add up to a more positive and resilient future for their towns and residents.”
