Baltimore’s small commercial waste haulers are responding enthusiastically to the opportunity to dispose of refuse 

at the Northwest Transfer Station. Results from the first two months of operation show that, on average, more than 41 tons of waste is making its way each day to the facility at 5030 Reisterstown Road. This waste is from haulers who otherwise would have had to drive to Quarantine Road Landfill at the southern tip of the City to legally dump a load of trash.

That tonnage is about twice what it was a year ago, when only residents dumping their own trash were allowed to use the convenience center at the Transfer Station.

Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) opened the Northwest Transfer Station to registered small haulers on April 1, hoping to make it easier and less expensive for these businesses to drop off a load and get back to work. Haulers are also encouraged to apply for a valid permit for handling small loads of trash.

“The small hauler program at Northwest Transfer Station is one of many proactive steps we’re taking to help our citizens and business people keep Baltimore clean,” said Mayor Catherine E. Pugh. “I’m glad to see so many haulers embracing this program, and I encourage others to get their permits and utilize this opportunity.”

The first week of the program, about 40 loads were brought in each day by small, commercial haulers with valid permits. By May, the Northwest Transfer Station was seeing an average of 67 loads each day from haulers with permits.

It is hoped that making it easier for small haulers to properly dispose of trash will also reduce instances of illegal dumping, and help keep Baltimore cleaner and healthier.

Area residents, sometimes more than 100 of them in a day, continue to use Northwest Transfer Station to dispose of their own bulk trash. The facility is free for residents, and $20 per load for small haulers with a valid permit. Residents may use any of the Citizens Convenience Centers throughout the City without charge to dispose of their own bulk trash.

The facility is open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Permits for commercial haulers are available through the Baltimore City Health Department. They are just $35 for trucks up to 7,000 pounds, and $100 for trucks over 1,000 pounds. Haulers can learn more by visiting health.baltimorecity.gov/waste-hauler-license.