Dear Beyond Recycling Readers,
As we prepare to welcome in the new year, we’re excited to share a big update: The Department of Public Works (DPW) Citizen Convenience Drop-Off Centers are now called Residential Recycling Centers. This new name reflects what these centers are truly about—helping Baltimore residents recycle responsibly and reduce waste.
Over the years, these locations have been referred to by many names, including Drop-Off Centers, Convenience Centers, and even “the Dump.” But the term “dump” does not fit the purpose of these facilities. At their core, the centers are hubs for recycling and proper disposal, providing residents with a convenient way to divert household materials from landfills.
While you can still bring household trash, it represents only a small fraction of what’s handled at these sites. The Residential Recycling Centers accept a wide range of items for recycling and reuse: paper, plastics, aluminum, glass, food scraps, textiles, electronics, scrap metal, hard plastics, tires, motor oil, mattresses and box springs, and household hazardous waste.
By changing the name, we’re encouraging a shift in mindset. When residents have broken items or materials that can’t be repaired or donated, we want them to think of these centers first—places where items can be recycled or disposed of responsibly. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on reducing waste and building a greener, more sustainable Baltimore.
Quarantine Road Sanitary Landfill and Residential Recycling Center
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Western Residential Recycling Center
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9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
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Sisson Street Residential Recycling Center
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9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
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Eastern Residential Recycling Center
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6101 Bowley’s Lane (410) 396-9952
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9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
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Northwest Transfer Station and Residential Recycling Center
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Monday - Saturday
7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Station North Tool Library's Fix It Fair
DPW teamed up with Station North Tool Library for their Fix It Fair on Nov. 16, an inspiring event focused on reducing waste and promoting sustainable living. Repairing items not only saves money by extending their lifespan but also keeps them out of landfills, aligning with the principles of a zero-waste lifestyle. Thanks to the dedication of the Tool Library and their amazing volunteers, 251 items were saved from disposal during the fair—completely free of charge!
For items that couldn’t be fixed, proper disposal remains key. DPW offers recycling for textiles, electronics, and scrap metals at all five Residential Recycling Centers, ensuring these materials are handled responsibly.
The Office of Waste Diversion is thrilled to continue this partnership and looks forward to the next Fix It Fair in April 2025. In the meantime, visit the Station North Tool Library’s website to learn more about their mission, explore their wide range of services, and find out how you can become a member. Let’s keep repairing, reusing, and reducing together!
2024 Shred Event Totals
This year, the Office of Waste Diversion hosted four Shred Events, offering residents a secure and convenient way to dispose of confidential documents—for free! Each event featured the GROW Center, which provided free mulch, free trees in partnership with Tree Baltimore, and a wealth of valuable information for residents.
DPW also teamed up with BGE and Helpsy to increase the impact of the event with appliance recycling and textile recycling. Both partnerships were a resounding success, and we’re excited to collaborate again in 2025.
Stay tuned for an announcement of next year’s Shred Event dates and locations in early 2025. We can’t wait to see you there.
Shredding and recycling 36,840 pounds of paper helped save:
Christmas Tree Mulching
DPW is offering free Christmas tree mulching services to Baltimore City residents Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, through Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. Residents must bring their trees to the Sisson Street Residential Recycling Center from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Before mulching, please ensure that all ornaments, tinsel, and other decoration have been removed from your tree. Residents should bring bags or containers to collect mulch for their own personal use.
Celebrating America Recycles Day
The Office of Waste Diversion celebrated America Recycles Day with the students of Cross Country Elementary/Middle School. Partnering with their enthusiastic Green Team, we delivered engaging presentations to all 5th–8th grade classes. Students learned about the importance of recycling, its impact on our daily lives, the recycling process, and how to recycle correctly in Baltimore City. To wrap up each session, students put their newfound knowledge to the test with fun recycling quiz questions, reinforcing what they had learned.
The holiday season often brings an increase in waste, but it’s also a perfect time to get creative and reduce waste. Rethink traditional gift wrapping by using alternatives like fabric scraps, old maps, or newspaper. For a double-duty approach, make the wrapping part of the gift—think scarves, decorative boxes, or baskets. Add your own personal touch by crafting your own gift tags from cardboard or other repurposed materials. If you prefer store-bought wrapping paper, choose non-glossy options that can be recycled in your curbside bin.
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String lights are not accepted in your curbside recycling bin because they can tangle in the machinery at the recycling facility. However, they are recyclable at all five of our residential recycling centers, place with other electronics. Recycling string lights helps recover valuable materials and reduces waste sent to the landfill. |
Do you have an upcoming sustainable event that you'd like to showcase? Share the details with us at recycling@baltimorecity.gov, and we'll feature it in our newsletter!
Events
Miracle on 34th Street: Nov. 30, 2024 - Jan. 1, 2025 in Hampden.
Jobs
Job Opportunities with the Department of Public Works
Job Opportunities with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks
Job Opportunities with the State of Maryland
Upcoming Closures
Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, is a City holiday. All DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED.
Trash and recycling make-up day will be on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
New Year's Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, is a City holiday. All DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED.
Trash and recycling make-up day will be on Saturday, January 4, 2025.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, is a City holiday. All DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED.
Trash and recycling collections are NOT impacted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Day closure. Monday is not a scheduled curbside trash or recycling collection day.
For all inquiries, residents should call 311.
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