DPW Marks 11 Percent Increase in Polystyrene Recycling

Friday Jan 16th, 2015

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

BALTIMORE, MD - Baltimore City Public Works (DPW) Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., today announced that the City has shown an 11 percent increase in the recycling of polystyrene. In 2014 the City collected 8,914 pounds of polystyrene from citizens for recycling, nearly half a ton more than the 8,000 pounds collected in 2013. Polystyrene recycling is part of an overall upswing in recycling tonnage in Baltimore.

Polystyrene, commonly referred to as “Styrofoam,” is used in foam cups, plates, egg cartons and as protective packaging for consumer goods and electronics. Styrofoam products began being accepted in 2012 and are only accepted at the Northwest Citizen’s Convenience Center at 2840 Sisson Street. The material cannot be put out curbside with other recyclables.

The City has also seen an increase in the total amount of recycling. It collected 26,154.2 tons of recyclables overall in 2014, nearly a 5 percent increase over the 24,973.5 tons gathered in 2013.

The city accepts clean foam that has a #6 symbol on it. Citizens should take care to rinse containers and cups before bringing them to the collection site. No straws, lids or stickers are accepted. Items should be brought in see-through plastic bags. No foam peanuts or insulation material is accepted.

Styrofoam is collected at the Northwest Citizen’s Convenience Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sunday.

More information about recycling in Baltimore is available at http://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/Recycling.

Related Stories

The Department of Public Works is Now Accepting Public Comment on the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree Revised Operation and Maintenance Plan

The Modified Consent Decree Revised Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Plan has officially been released by the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) and is available on the DPW website for review and comment in accordance with the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree (MCD). DPW will accept public comments pertaining to this document for 30 days, through November 16, 2024. Comments may be submitted directly to Michael.Shipman@baltimorecity.gov.

Baltimore City and County Submit Initial Water Service Line Inventory to MDE Part of a Nationwide Effort to Remove Lead Lines from Water Systems

On Tuesday, October 15, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) submitted their initial water service line inventory to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). This submission is part of a nationwide effort, led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to identify and eliminate lead and galvanized pipes from water distribution systems.

DPW is Now Accepting Public Comments on the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree Revised Emergency Response Plan 

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW)  has announced the release of its Revised Emergency Response Plan (ERP), a reference tool to be used by City personnel during a sanitary sewer overflow or reported building backup emergency. The Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree (MCD) requires DPW to submit a revised Emergency Response Plan to protect the public health and welfare in the event of an unpermitted release, spill, or discharge of pollutants from the sewer collection system or in the event of a reported building backup.

Visit the Newsroom