DPW Recycling Newsletter, June 2018

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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ReNews | JUNE 2018

Grasscycling: Mow and Go!

Grasscycling is an easy way to maintain your yard, while saving time. Just don’t bag your grass when cutting it! That’s it! When you leave your grass clippings on a mowed lawn, the clippings quickly decompose and make your lawn greener, healthier, and sturdier.

Grasscycling not only saves you time, but can save you money by reducing the amount of fertilizer you need. Leaving the clippings naturally fertilizes your lawn! Mowing and going also helps the environment by reducing stormwater runoff.

Follow these guidelines to maximize the benefits:

  • Set mower blade height to 3”
  • Cut lawn before grass reaches 4” high
  • Let grass clippings fall and stay on the lawn
  • Mow at least once a week during peak growing season
  • Mow only when grass is dry

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It's Wedding Season! Reduce Waste at the Celebration

Wedding season is in full swing! Are you planning a wedding or planning to attend one this year? Follow these tips as a Bride, Groom, or guest to help reduce the wedding waste.

Brides and Grooms:

  • Choose a venue that has recycling available (bonus points if they compost!)
  • Purchase décor secondhand: many people sell their wedding decorations online after their big day. Take advantage of sites like Craigslist, Offerup, and Facebook marketplace for decorations, then when you are done with them, sell them to someone else!
  • Skip the favors: many people forget their favors after the wedding or toss them once they get home. Skip the unnecessary waste altogether, or offer an edible favor you know everyone will love!
  • Rent items such as linens, plates, and cutlery. Avoid disposables of these items.
  • Skip the RSVP cards and have guests RSVP on a wedding website. Reduces waste and saves you money!

Wedding Guests:

  • Choose a card and wrapping paper that can be recycled. Skip noise makers, glitter, and ribbon.
  • Refuse the straw when you order drinks, or bring your own reusable straw to sip with!
  • Be sure to sort your waste: place cans, bottles, and plastic cups in the recycling bin; napkins and food waste should be put in the trash can.
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Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle on your big day! Eliminate unnecessary favors, reuse decorations from others, and recycle at your event!


June 9th Shredding Event and Bin Sale

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The second shredding event for 2018 will be held June 9th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Edmondson Westside High, 501 N. Athol Ave. Residents are welcome to bring up to two large garbage bags of papers to be shredded on site for free. Items you should shred include cancelled checks, medical records, old tax returns, and any other papers that have sensitive information on them. Recycling bins will also be on sale for a discounted price, the 25 gallon bins with lids will be $10 and the 18 gallon bins will be $4 (cash or check only).

Please call the Office of Recycling if you have any questions (410) 396-4511.


Independence Day Recycling Bin Sale: June 30th

Recycling bins will be on sale June 30th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 432 E. 32nd Street, the lot next to the Waverly Farmers Market. Bins will be sold at the discounted price, 25 gallon bins with lids for $10, 18 gallon bins for $4. Only cash and check are accepted forms of payment.

Please call the Office of Recycling if you have any questions (410) 396-4511.

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Rollin Weeks Jr.: DPW Employee of the Year

Mr. Rollin Weeks Jr. was selected as the Department of Public Works’ Employee of the Year last week. Mr. Weeks works with a recycling crew in the Southwest Quadrant of Baltimore. Click here to watch Mr. Weeks’ employee of the year video and hear about his heroic actions this past year. We are thankful for Mr. Weeks and all of our recycling crews for the hard work they do!

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Shown: John Chalmers, Head, Bureau of Solid Waste, Mr. Weeks, Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., DPW Director, and Deputy Director Dale Thompson

Household Hazardous Waste: June 1st and 2nd

Household Hazardous Waste Collection will occur on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd, from 9 am until 7 pm. Household Hazardous Waste collection is held at the Northwest Citizens’ Convenience Center, 2840 Sisson Street.

This is an opportunity for Baltimore City residents to dispose of hazardous household materials such as oil-based paints, pesticides, herbicides, car and household batteries, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, and many other items. Latex paint is NOT hazardous waste, it can be dried up and the cans put out for regular trash collection.

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Reminder: Please NO Plastic Bags

You can use any container to hold your recyclables, except for plastic bags! If you use plastic bags to collect you recyclables, please be sure to empty the contents into a bin, paper bag, cardboard box, or other marked container before setting it out for collection. 

Find where to recycle plastic bags

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