Today is the first day of spring! And the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) stands ready to help residents clear their homes of clutter by shredding documents, recycling unwanted items, and properly disposing of household hazardous waste.

In addition, Baltimore City residents are reminded to sign up for the Mayor’s Spring Cleanup, Saturday April 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Communities can start preparing for spring cleaning by calling 311 to register.

To participate in this year’s Spring Cleanup, groups should organize now and provide their cleanup location(s) and anticipated numbers of participants when calling 311 to sign up. Registered communities will receive bags to help with their cleanup efforts.

Household Hazardous Waste Collections

DPW's Household Hazardous Waste Collection season kicks off April 7-8 at the Northwest Citizens' Convenience Center, 2840 Sisson Street, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Household Hazardous Waste Collection Season runs from April to October, and generally occurs on the first Friday and Saturday of the month. 

This is 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 cans put out for regular trash collection.

Additional Household Hazardous Waste Collections will occur: May 5-6: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; June 2-3: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; July 7-8: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; August 4-5: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; September 1-2: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and  October 6-7: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free Shredding Event

Cleaning out your filing cabinet? Bring your sensitive documents to DPW’s free  shredding event on Saturday, April 22 (Happy Earth Day!), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Edmondson Westside High school, 501 N. Athol Ave.

This is an opportunity for City residents to safely dispose of sensitive paper documents quickly, easily, and securely. Cancelled checks, medical records, credit card information, utility bills, old tax returns, and pay stubs are among the many items that should be destroyed by shredding. Bags that contain other trash will not be accepted.

Those interested can bring up to two 32-gallon bags of papers, and must bring a driver’s license or other proof of Baltimore City residency.

Recycling bins will also be available for purchase at a discounted price: 18-gallon bins ($4) and 25-gallon bins ($7), and lids for the 25-gallon ($3).

Disposing of Bulk Items, Electronics  

Have bulk items, such as furniture or appliances, that need to go?

If they are in good condition, please consider donating them to a charity.

Electronics can be recycled at the Quarantine Road, Reedbird, Bowleys Lane, Sisson Street, and Northwest Transfer Station convenience centers: http://buff.ly/2nw5R4r.

For a complete list of accepted electronics, see http://buff.ly/2mY3VAb.

Bulk trash pickups may be scheduled by calling 311.