BALTIMORE — Spring has officially started! This is a perfect time to prepare to clean the City’s homes and neighborhoods, and there are several great ways to do so.

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is inviting communities to continue to sign up for the Mayor’s Spring Cleanup. The annual Spring Cleanup is April 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Communities can sign up to participate in the Spring Cleanup by calling 311.

To participate, groups should organize now and provide their cleanup location(s), and anticipated numbers of participants when calling 311. So far, over 100 community associations and groups have registered!

This is the 17th annual spring cleaning event, and it continues to grow in popularity, with neighborhoods in every part of the City sweeping, raking, planting and painting.    Residents and property owners have an added incentive to get their communities clean now that the Stormwater Fee is in effect. One way to receive credits to reduce this fee is to participate in organized cleanups such as the Mayor’s Annual Cleanups. Information on how to obtain Stormwater Fee credits will be provided to communities when they call 311 to register for the Spring Cleanup.   For additional information about the Stormwater Fee credit program, please visithttp://dpwapps.baltimorecity.gov/cleanwaterbaltimore/stormwater-participation-event-credit/.

Household Hazardous Waste Collections

Household Hazardous Waste monthly collection season kicks off Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2, and continues the first Friday and Saturday of every month through October at the Northwest Citizens’ Convenience Center,  2840 Sisson St.
Household Hazardous Waste collection events provide an opportunity for Baltimore City residents to dispose of 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 can put out for regular trash collection.

Residents must show proof of City residency, e.g. a driver's license, telephone bill, or tax bill, before they can drop off any household hazardous waste items. Materials must be in the original packaging. Substances in containers other than original packaging, e.g., glass bottles, jars. coffee cans, etc., will NOT be accepted.   Other materials that will NOT be accepted include asbestos, ammunition, industrial and medical wastes and radioactive materials (except for smoke alarms with a radioactive symbol).   These events are for residential disposal ONLY. Businesses, non-profits and private haulers must contract with a certified vendor to dispose of household hazardous waste.   

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Dates

April 1-2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May 6 -7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
June 3-4, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 July 1-2, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 August 5-6, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 September 2-3, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 October 7-8. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shred Day & Recycle Bin Sale

On Saturday, April 16, DPW is hosting a Discount Recycle Bin Sale and a Free Community Shred Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Baltimore City residents can bring in items to be shredded. This service will be offered free of charge, thanks to sponsorship by Clean Cut Shredding. The free shredding and bin sale will be located in the parking lot of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane.

Residents are invited to shred up two trash bags of documents per household. Residents must present driver’s license/proof of City residence.
The bright canary yellow 25-gallon recycling bins will be on sale at deeply discounted rates.  While supplies last, the bins will be on sale for $7 (regularly $12); smaller 18-gallon bins are on sale for $4 (regularly $5); and lids for the large containers will be on sale for $3.

Additional Discount Recycle Bin Sale and Free Community Shred events will be held June 11, Edmondson-Westside High School, 501 N. Athol Ave; September 17, Montebello Elementary/Middle School, 2040 E. 32nd St; and October 15, Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. All of these events will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.