DPW to Start Trash and Recycling Collections at 5:00 a.m. During Summer Months Earlier Start Time Aims to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat –Seasonal Change Begins Tuesday, July 8
Thursday Jul 3rd, 2025
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To protect sanitation workers from the dangers of extreme summer heat, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin trash and recycling collections one hour earlier—starting at 5:00 a.m.—beginning Tuesday, July 8. This seasonal adjustment will run through Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Trash and recycling collection days will not change. However, residents must place their trash and recycling out by 5:00 a.m. on their regularly scheduled collection day to avoid missed pickups. Setting materials out the evening before, starting at 6 p.m., is strongly encouraged. Putting Worker Safety First “With increasingly high summer temperatures, we are taking proactive steps to keep our employees safe while maintaining reliable service for residents,” said DPW Director Khalil Zaied. “Starting collections earlier helps reduce workers’ exposure to extreme heat, and it reflects our continued commitment to protecting the people who keep Baltimore clean.” This early start time is part of DPW’s Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP), which includes heat safety training, hydration protocols, and schedule modifications during hot weather. DPW’s heat safety plan is currently in place and active. The department is committed to consistent application of the plan, protecting employees from heat-related risks, and maintaining a collaborative relationship with labor leadership. The earlier collection start time change was made in coordination with the City’s sanitation workers’ union and is being implemented to cover the summer months. What Residents Need to Know:
DPW plans to return to the standard 6:00 a.m. start time on September 30. For more information, please call 311 or visit the DPW website. |