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City launches six‑month yard‑waste diversion pilot, moves toward municipal composting
Summary
The Department of Public Works outlined a six‑month yard‑waste diversion pilot funded in part by a $750,000 council allocation, including curbside routing via 311 requests, roll‑offs at drop‑off centers and contracting for processing until the city’s planned composting facility is operational. The board approved creation of positions and pilot funding.
The Baltimore City Board of Estimates approved requests on March 18 to create positions and fund a six‑month yard‑waste diversion pilot as part of the city’s zero‑waste initiative. Department of Public Works leaders said the pilot will test curbside routing, designated containers at residential drop‑off centers and contracting for processing until a municipal composting facility and on‑site grinders are available.
Deputy Director Alan Robinson said the city received a $750,000 one‑time council allocation to launch the pilot; funding will chiefly cover crews and one‑time costs such as roll‑off dumpsters and a communications contract to inform residents. Residents will request curbside service via 311; DPW will use requests to generate pickup routing. Material will be consolidated at Quarantine Road Landfill for chipping and then sent to yard‑waste processors until the city installs its own horizontal grinder and composting operations.
Robinson said DPW will track program uptake and costs during the pilot, which could inform future recurring budget needs. Board members and the mayor praised the initiative; the comptroller and council president highlighted prior council support and urged continued partnership between the council and administration. The board approved both HR items to create positions supporting the pilot and authorized the pilot funding as presented.
DPW said longer term plans include a municipal composting facility in the 10‑year solid‑waste plan and that grant funding has been sought to purchase equipment at Quarantine Road to bring some processing on‑site in the future.
