The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) announced Friday a pilot program for residential food scrap collection for composting in Baltimore City.
This is the first time that the City will be hosting such a program at its Residential Drop-Off Centers. The pilot launches Monday, July 12, 2021.
“This pilot program is essential and necessary to propel Baltimore towards a path of zero waste, and I commend Director Mitchell and the Department of Public Works for making this a reality,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Creating innovative sustainability practices for Baltimoreans today will pave the way for a greener and healthier tomorrow.”
According to a Baltimore City DPW press release:
Food scraps make up 25 percent of the residential waste stream in Baltimore according to a recent sort of residential trash conducted under the Less Waste, Better Baltimore planning process. Less Waste, Better Baltimore is the master plan that outlines a clear and realistic future vision for improving the City’s solid waste recycling program and operations, over both the near- and long-term, to maximize waste reduction, reuse/repair, recycling, and sustainable management of materials. This pilot program will allow residents to bring their food scraps to locations for composting.
“Developing new and innovative programs to increase waste diversion is a top priority for Mayor Scott and the Department of Public Works,” said DPW Director Jason W. Mitchell. “We are excited to make Residential Drop-Off Centers available for food scrap collection for composting, for the first time. Thank you to NRDC for their continued partnership on reducing waste in Baltimore and for the essential grant that will fund this critical new pilot program.”
The project is funded by a grant agreement with NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) as part of the Food Matters Regional Initiative. The partnership between the City and NRDC seeks to implement projects to advance food waste prevention, food rescue and composting.
Read the full press release and learn more about the food waste reduction pilot program.
