It is officially autumn with crisp, clear weather, perfect for outside activities. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is offering opportunities for residents to clean, beautify, and green their neighborhoods.

Saturday, October 13 Happenings

The final Pop-up DPW Grow Center for 2018 is happening tomorrow!  At GROW Center events, residents can get free trees and mulch, purchase recycling bins, talk to greening experts like master gardeners, and attend workshops and demonstrations on a variety of topics including community organizing, pollinator gardens, tree and orchard planting. 

Grow Center Pop-up #4: Saturday, October 13, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. - Parks & People Plant/Seed Swap, 2100 Liberty Heights Ave. 21217. 

DPW launched its first Grow Center events in the spring of 2018. Grow Center funding is provided in part by the United States Department Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 

Free Community Shred Day,  Recycle bins on sale too!

DPW will offer free paper shredding for city residents on Saturday, October 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Free Community Shred Day will take place at Middle Branch Park, 3301 Waterview Ave., 21230.

DPW respectfully asks that residents adhere to the Free Shred Day limit of two 32-gallon bags of papers per household. Residents must bring a license or other proof of Baltimore City residency.

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 types of recyclable items and trash will not be accepted.

The bright, canary-yellow City recycling bins will also be on sale at this location at discounted rates: 

25-gallon bins with lids for $10, and the 18-gallon bin for $4. We accept cash and checks only for the purchase of the recycle bins.

Mayor Catherine E. Pugh's Fall Cleanup. Register Now! 
Saturday, October 27,  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The annual Mayor’s Fall Cleanup is the biggest seasonal coming together of citizens to target those trouble spots of litter and dumping. This citywide day of cleaning is a time for communities, civic organizations and businesses to join together to clear out litter and debris by cleaning sidewalks, alleys, yards, vacant lots, and tree pits.  

October 22 is the deadline for registering for the Fall Cleanup. 

To participate, residents should organize volunteers and then register their cleanup by calling 311. Please provide the cleanup location(s) and the anticipated numbers of participants when calling to sign up. Registered communities will receive bags to help with their cleanup efforts. DPW will provide debris removal. 

Bag distribution starts October 17 at 111 Kane Street and 2840 Sisson Street. Bags can be picked from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Participants in the Mayor’s Fall Cleanup can earn $10 in credits toward their stormwater fee. Certificates and forms for the stormwater credit can be picked up by registrants when they come to collect bags for their cleanups.