Harford County officials are joining the pack. They will begin single-stream recycling in September, my coworker Mary Gail Hale reports in The Sun today.

Like other surrounding jurisdictions, residents there will be able to stuff all their bottles, cans, paper and newspapers in one curbside container.

And like in other places, officials expect the recycling rate to rise and the costs to drop.

Baltimore County's rate went up by a third since single-stream began there in February, Mary Gail reports. Trash generation is down by more than 4 percent, saving some $600,000 annually.

Items that can be recycled: books, aluminum foil, plastic containers and rigid plastic items such as outdoor furniture, coolers, garbage cans, flower pots and toys. But please no plastic bags, which muck up the processing equipment.

If you live in Harford, expect a mailing prior to launch Sept. 12. For more information, call 410-638-3417.

Baltimore Sun file photo of recyling bin in Baltimore City/Jed Kirschbaum