ReNews October 2022

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BALTIMORE CITY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ReNews | October 2022

Shred, Shred, Shred

Great News! Another Shredding and GROW Center Event is on the way! The next Shred Event is on Sunday, November 6 at the Pimlico Public Safety Training Facility from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This event is FREE to all residents in which they can shred up to two 32-gallon bags of sensitive documents. There will also be a GROW Center Pop-Up giving away free mulch, and much more!

Due to the effects of Tropical Storm Ian, the October 1, 2022 Shred Event at Johns Hopkins University at Eastern was cancelled.

It has been rescheduled to Saturday, November 12 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the same location.

Shred Events

Mayor Scott's Fall Cleanup

Mayor Scott will visit and lead community cleaning efforts at three different locations throughout the city. During these visits, the Mayor will be joined by a team of DPW solid waste workers and volunteer-led cleaning crews.

Mayor Scott’s Fall Cleanup will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Fall Cleanup

 

Community associations, block leaders, and local organizations can call 311, visit Day of Service Form, or sign up through Facebook to register their cleaning activities and volunteer.

During this citywide day of cleaning, individual residents are also encouraged to clean where they live by collecting loose litter around their properties, alleyways, and curbsides.

 

“Autumn is fast-approaching, and we are going to make this year’s Fall Cleanup bigger than ever,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “This is an important day of service, where neighbors not only work together to clean and beautify where they live, but they also roll up their sleeves to assist other communities. Through teamwork and commitment to our communities, we can keep Baltimore clean.”


Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle this School Year

We are pleased to announce the success of our School Recycle program so far this school year! DPW’s Solid Waste Bureau has over 90 Baltimore City Schools participating in this program. DPW partners with our school-aged youth, encouraging them to reduce, reuse and recycle. All Baltimore City Schools are encouraged to sign up for the program (even Private/Charter schools within the city). Please use the Recycling Collection Registration Form to register today!

Reduce

  • Purchase supplies for your classroom that will last for many years. For example, a wooden ruler will last longer than a thin plastic one.
  • Give online assignments or print worksheets on both sides, if using paper.

Reuse

  • Encourage students to create art projects out of used materials.
  • Check out teacher swap groups via social media to gain new classroom items.

Recycle

  • Utilize your weekly recycling collection by keeping a recycling bin in each classroom.
  • Sign up for DPWs Recycling Program!

Name that Symbol!

Resin Codes

One of the common questions we get about acceptable recycling is which “numbered” plastics are allowed in curbside pickup. These numbers are actually called Resin Codes, and while the symbol may look similar to the recycle symbol, it does not mean the item is recyclable. The resin codes on packaging tell you what kind of plastic it is. This image was created by industries and is not a regulated tool for recyclability.

Quick Tip: Instead of checking the resin code, check DPWs Recycle Guide to see which types of plastics are accepted!


Fall Sweet Fall

Bagged Leaf Collection begins Monday, October 24!!

Please follow the instructions below for our yard waste collection and remember not to put your bagged yard waste in the gutter or public right-of-way.

  • Place your yard waste in the same location as your other trash on your scheduled trash collection day.
  • Place yard waste in plastic bags (preferably clear or labeled bags), paper bags or bundle it.
  • DPW will only collect up to 5 bags/bundles of yard waste from your residence each week.
  • Tree branches larger than 4 inches in diameter or longer than 3 feet will not be collected.
  • You can also take your yard waste to any of our Residential Drop-Off Centers.

Trash Talk Tuesday

October TTT

Use this link to watch this month’s Trash Talk Tuesday which focuses on Halloween Sustainability.

This edition focuses on ways to properly recycle and dispose of waste on Halloween. We also give sustainable tips and upcycling ideas so we can all avoid a curbside nightmare!!


Upcoming Events

Community Events

October 20 - Composting Workshop at Harlem Park Community Farm (1314 Harlem Ave) from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

October 22 - Mayor Scott’s Fall Cleanup from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

October 22 - GROW Center Pop-up at Whitelock Farm Healing Circle (907 Whitelock St) from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

October 27 - Greening Resource and Funding Workshop (Virtual) from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.


Fast Recycle Facts

  • Enough plastic is thrown away each year to circle the earth four times.
  • Americans use 85 million tons of paper per year which is about 680 pounds per person.
  • Americans generate an additional 5 million tons of waste throughout the holidays.