BALTIMORE – The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) today announced that even as distribution of the Municipal Trash Cans begins next week, the deadline for residents to request a smaller 35-gallon can rather than the standard 65-gallon can is being extended.

In addition, DPW has lifted the “lack of external storage space” requirement that had previously been necessary to qualify for the smaller can. Residents who want the smaller can must still meet the two remaining requirements: Their properties must be part of a continuous block-long group of row houses and must have front trash collection.

Citizens are reminded that there is no need to call to receive the standard 65-gallon cans; they will be dropped off at each residence. Citizens should also bear in mind that all household trash must be contained in a durable can with a tight-fitting lid.

Requests for a smaller can must be received no later than April 20, 2016. Small can requests may be made by calling 311. The deadline to submit requests to refuse a municipal trash can will also be extended to April 20. Refusal forms are available on the Municipal Trash Can page of the DPW website.

Municipal trash can distribution is set to get under way March 1 and last through June. The delivery will be preceded by a door tag notifying residents that the can will be delivered in two to three weeks, and updated delivery schedules will be posted on DPW’s website, PublicWorks.BaltimoreCity.gov.

Since the cans are being delivered at the same time that requests for smaller cans, and requests to refuse a can, are being accepted, some residents may receive a can that they did not expect. In such cases, DPW crews will be in communication with these residents to either exchange the can at a later date, or remove the can.

The Municipal Trash Can program was tested with standard sized cans in neighborhoods on the east and west sides of the City between July of 2014 and June of 2015. The pilot program confirmed that the large cans work well under a variety of collection challenges.

By providing standardized cans with attached, tight-fitting lids, wheels that allow the cans to be easily rolled, and handles to conveniently move them, the City expects to see cleaner neighborhoods, fewer rodent complaints, and a streamlined collection process that eases strain on the workers. The cans remain the property of the City of Baltimore and should be left at the residence in the event the property owner or renter moves out.