Recycling Collection To Resume In January 2021 In Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD — Recycling service will resume in Baltimore in January, according to Mayor Brandon Scott.

Starting Jan. 19, Baltimore City residents will again be able to have their recycling collected curbside. It has been on hiatus since August.

Scott said the previous administration had promised a recycling update by December, and he was going to provide one, but he said steps had "not been taken" to bring the program back online.

When recycling service was suspended Aug. 31, Scott's predecessor said it was because some staff had tested positive for the coronavirus, while others were fearful of getting sick if they came to work.

"Every one person that contracts COVID-19 means multiple employees must self-quarantine due to the nature of their work and them being so intimate," Scott said. "As such, in restarting it, we must be extremely cautious and thoughtful to keep our employees safe and our contractors safe."

In the weeks ahead, Scott said employees in the public works department who handle trash and recycling would be provided with personal protective equipment and training.

"We are committed to getting this right, so we can keep our workers safe and avoid further and future disruptions," said Scott, who noted: "Cities across the country have seen and dealt with this issue," pointing to Atlanta, Philadelphia, Memphis and El Paso, Texas.

In the coming days and weeks, Scott said residents would hear more about the plans. When recycling begins Tuesday, Jan. 19, it will follow the regular schedule and routes, according to Scott.

Since recycling services were suspended in the city, Acting Public Works Director Matthew W. Garbark said 100 tons per week has been picked up from community collection centers around the city — where residents can go during the day to drop off their recycling.

Normally, he said, curbside collection nets 100 tons a day.

"It is a significant drop," Garbark said, noting that nonetheless this represented 100 tons a week that would have otherwise gone into the landfill.

Until curbside service is restored, residents should continue to use the community collection centers around the city, officials advised.