Fall is the perfect time to refresh, renew & reinvigorate Baltimore communities. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) stands ready to help residents clear their homes of clutter by shredding documents, and properly disposing of household hazardous waste. DPW’s scheduled leaf collection pick-ups start on Oct. 30.

The first step to prepare for fall rejuvenation is to make sure that your community is ready to participate in the Mayor’s Fall Cleanup. Baltimore City residents are reminded to sign up for the Mayor’s Fall Cleanup, Saturday Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Communities can start preparing for fall cleaning by calling 311 to register for the Mayor's cleanup.

To participate in this year’s Fall 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.

Residents participating in the Mayor’s Fall Cleanup can earn $10 in credits toward their stormwater fee. Representatives who provide an email address when they register will be sent certificates and information that they can share with their volunteers. They can also pick up the certificates and forms needed to apply for the stormwater credit when they come to collect bags for their cleanups.

 Household Hazardous Waste Collections

The last Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection for the year will be held on Friday, Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The HHW collection will take place at the Northwest Convenience Center, 2840 Sisson St.

This is an opportunity for Baltimore City residents to dispose of hazardous 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

All HHW materials must be in their original, marked containers. For a complete list of acceptable HHW materials, visit publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/recycling-services.

Free Shredding Event

Cleaning out your filing cabinet? Bring your sensitive documents to DPW’s free shredding event on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Patterson High School, 100 Kane Street.

This is an opportunity for Baltimore 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 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).

Leaf Collection Season Begins Monday, Oct. 30

Following the Mayor’s Fall Cleanup, on Monday, Oct. 30, DPW will begin to collect leaves from city residents by appointment.  Leaf collections, by appointment, will continue through Monday, Jan. 8.

Leaves can be collected in two ways:

Weekly trash pick-up: Bagged leaves are collected on regularly scheduled trash collection days. DPW solid waste crews collect up to 5 bags of leaves from each address every week.

By Appointment: Bagged leaves, up to 20 bags, will be collected by appointment on Mondays, during the leaf collection season, Oct. 30 – Jan. 8. 

Please call 311 before 6 p.m. on Sunday to arrange a leaf collection for the following Monday.  Residents may schedule multiple appointments for up to two months prior to the pick-up date. Multiple appointments may be scheduled until all of your bagged leaves are collected.