Maryland’s political campaigns generate substantial waste each election cycle, producing large quantities of paper mailers, plastic yard signs, and other printed materials that frequently end up discarded after votes are tallied. Despite the environmental impact, there is no formal system in place to track the volume of waste generated by these campaigns throughout the state.
Campaign materials often fill landfills or are incinerated at trash facilities, while signs can remain littering roadsides for weeks following Election Day. Since April 2024, the Maryland State Highway Administration has taken on the primary responsibility of removing campaign and advertising signs from state highways, sidewalks, and clear zones. Some campaigns retrieve signs for reuse or recycling, but many are simply thrown away.
Efforts to reduce campaign waste have gained traction among some candidates and environmental groups. The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (MDLCV), an environmental advocacy organization, includes campaign sustainability as part of its endorsement criteria. The group encourages candidates to utilize recyclable materials, minimize paper communications in favor of direct voter engagement, and use mass transit when possible. Shawn Drury, an MDLCV spokesperson, noted a rising trend of environmentally conscious campaigns and observed that “the most environmentally friendly campaigns are the ones that win.” The organization endorsed nearly 100 candidates in the 2026 primary elections, including high-profile statewide officeholders.
Some candidates have taken concrete steps to lessen their environmental footprint. Baltimore entrepreneur Bobby LaPin, who recently ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate against Senate President Bill Ferguson, prioritized using recyclable and biodegradable campaign signs. He also donated plastic-based coroplast signs after the election to local businesses and artists for repurposing. LaPin expressed concern about the environmental toll of typical campaign materials, particularly noting their disposal at a Southwest Baltimore trash incinerator, the city’s largest air polluter.
However, campaign officials and strategists highlight significant challenges to implementing fully sustainable practices. Jim Burton, a consultant working with Maryland Republican candidates, said the costs associated with recycled paper and eco-friendly materials often exceed campaign budgets, which are typically constrained. He emphasized that campaigns focus foremost on effectiveness and cost-efficiency, noting that even standard mailers can be expensive.
Former Maryland Democratic Party official Joe Francaviglia pointed out logistical difficulties in eliminating travel-related emissions, as widespread public transit options are limited in many parts of the state. He underscored the necessity of in-person voter outreach, stating, “The number one focus of anyone running campaigns is to win, and you have to put your resources where you can win.”
The campaign of Governor Wes Moore has also made strides toward sustainability, with spokesperson Carter Elliott IV confirming that many paper products used are manufactured from recycled materials.
Despite these initiatives, most Maryland campaigns continue to rely heavily on traditional printed materials and travel-intensive outreach, presenting ongoing challenges for reducing waste within the election cycle.