Baltimore City Holiday Trash and Recycling Schedule

Holidays often mean changes to regular trash and recycling collection in Baltimore City. This article provides an overview of holiday schedules, service impacts, and key dates for residents to know.

Baltimore City provides trash and recycling services through the Department of Public Works. Holiday schedules are set each year and communicated to residents.

Holiday Collection Policies

• If a holiday falls on a weekday, collection slides to the next day for the rest of the week.

• Weekend holidays do not impact collection days.

• View the holiday schedule from the Department of Public Works for exact dates.

Below are the major holidays impacting collection:

New Year’s Day

• Holiday: January 1

• Trash collection slides one day all week.

• In 2023, New Year’s Day is on a Sunday. No collection impact.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Holiday: Third Monday in January

• Trash collection slides one day all week.

Presidents’ Day

• Holiday: Third Monday in February

• Trash collection slides one day all week.

Memorial Day

• Holiday: Last Monday in May

• Trash collection slides one day all week.

Independence Day

• Holiday: July 4

• Trash collection slides one day all week.

• In 2023, July 4 falls on a Tuesday. Collection slides starting Wednesday.

Labor Day

• Holiday: First Monday in September

• Trash collection slides one day all week.

Veterans Day

• Holiday: November 11

• Trash collection slides one day all week when date falls on weekday.

Thanksgiving

• Holiday: Fourth Thursday in November

• Trash collection slides one day all week.

• Recycling suspended from Wednesday to Friday.

Christmas Day

• Holiday: December 25

• Trash collection slides one day all week.

• In 2023, Christmas Day falls on a Monday. Collection slides starting Tuesday.

Day After Christmas

• Holiday: December 26

• Trash collection operates on a regular schedule.

• Recycling remains suspended after Christmas Day.

New Year’s Eve

• Holiday: December 31

• Trash collection operates on a regular schedule.

• Recycling resumes after suspension for Christmas holiday.

Key Dates for 2023

Here are the impacted collection dates for major 2023 holidays:

• New Year’s Day: No impact (Sunday)

• MLK Day: Slides Jan 16-20

• Presidents’ Day: Slides Feb 20-24

• Memorial Day: Slides May 29 – Jun 2

• July 4: Slides Jul 4-7

• Labor Day: Slides Sep 4-8

• Thanksgiving:

  • Trash: Slides Nov 23-24
  • No recycling: Nov 22-24

• Christmas:

  • Trash: Slides Dec 25-29
  • No recycling: Dec 25-26

View the full 2023 holiday schedule for any date changes.

Holiday Guidelines

Baltimore City provides the following guidance to residents for holidays:

• Trash should be placed curbside by 6am on your scheduled day.

• Delay trash placement during cold weather to prevent freezing.

• Recycling collection is often suspended from the day before Thanksgiving through the day after Christmas. Pay attention to special guidelines.

• Christmas tree collection is provided during the first 2 full weeks of January. Remove all decorations and place at the curb.

• Avoid large accumulation of trash during the holidays to prevent overflow.

• Holiday wrapping paper is not recyclable. Place in your regular trash.

• Break down cardboard boxes and packaging for recycling.

• Take special handling items like batteries and lighting to dropoff locations. Don’t place in curbside bins.

Regular Collection Schedules

During non-holiday weeks, Baltimore City provides the following trash and recycling services:

Trash Collection

• Once per week pickup for all households

• Collection occurs Monday through Thursday based on neighborhood

• Trash should be at the curb by 6am on your designated day

Recycling Collection

• Once per week pickup for all households

• Collection occurs Monday through Thursday based on neighborhood

• Recycling should be at the curb by 6am on your designated day

• Use city-provided bins to bundle paper and commingled containers

Bulk Trash

• Bulk item pickup provided once per month in designated weeks

• Place items curbside by 6am on your assigned Monday

• Bulk trash includes furniture, appliances, mattresses, and similar large items

Yard Waste

• Yard waste collection weekly from March – December

• Place leaves, grass, and brush bundles curbside on your trash day

• Use paper bags or reusable containers for yard waste

Contact Information

Contact the Department of Public Works with any questions about Baltimore City’s trash and recycling programs.

Baltimore City Dept of Public Works

Phone: (410) 396-5916

Email: [email protected]

Website: publicworks.baltimorecity.gov

Address: 200 N. Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202