Source Reduction

Reducing waste at the source, right from the start

Source reduction is preventing material from being disposed of or entering the waste stream altogether.  It involves the design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials and products in order to reduce the amount or toxicity of what gets thrown away. Source reduction can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save natural resources, conserve energy, reduce pollution, reduce the toxicity of our waste, and save money. According to the EPA, source reduction  is the most environmentally-preferred strategy to manage materials away from disposal.

Benefits of source reduction

• Reduced energy consumption
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Reduced pollution
• Conservation of natural resources
• Cost savings on products
• Reduced costs for transportation, disposal, and recycling of waste
• Reducing waste in your own household

How you can get involved in reducing disposal

• Donate unwanted items (e.g., clothing, equipment, furniture, appliances)
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient, long-lasting compact fluorescent light bulbs or LED light bulbs
• Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible
• Repair items rather than purchasing new items
• Reupholster furniture instead of purchasing new pieces
• Use cloth towels, napkins, and rags instead of disposable paper products
• Avoid using disposable cups, plates, forks, spoons or knives
• Save bows, tissue paper, polystyrene peanuts, gift boxes, and newspaper to wrap gifts in the future
• Donate back-issues of magazines to schools for use in school projects or to a doctor's office for patients to read
• Rent instead of buying infrequently-used tools or equipment
• Use the backs of old envelopes for store lists or phone messages
• Use reusable containers for the food in your packed lunch
• Use cloth or mesh bags to hold your purchases when shopping
• Purchase items in concentrated form, bulk, or economy sizes that use the least amount of packaging

Drop-off your household hazardous waste

Household hazardous waste collections are offered at specific times during the year.

Drop-off months: April through October
When: The first Friday and Saturday of the month
Where: Sisson Street Drop-Off Center only
2840 Sisson Street
410-396-7250

2023 hazardous waste collection dates

Accepted items for drop-off

Automotive fluids, batteries, fire extinguishers, fluorescent light bulbs, glycols (e.g. antifreeze), household cleaning products, insecticides, oil-based paint, pesticides, solvents, stains, thermometers, and varnishes.

All materials must be in original packaging with manufacturer's label.  No unmarked or leaking containers will be accepted.

Not accepted for drop-off

Acids (e.g. sulfuric acid), ammunition, asbestos, explosives, gasoline, industrial wastes, kerosene, medical wastes, photographic chemicals, radioactive materials.

Recycle old electronics (eCycling)

You can take old or unwanted electronic items to a residential drop off center. 

Accepted items for drop-off

Cell Phones, Keyboards, CD players, radios, computers, monitors, modems, telephones, televisions, microwaves, printers, fax machines, gaming consoles, ink and toner cartridges, power and network cables, and more…

Learn more about recycling services for city residents. 

Donate your durable medical equipment

Durable medical equipment helps people to complete daily activities. Examples include walkers, wheelchairs, Portable oxygen equipment, CPAP machines, or arm, back, leg or neck braces. 

Learn more about the Durable Medical Equipment Reuse Program

To donate medical equipment, drop it off at:

Quarantine Road Landfill
6100 Quarantine Road
410-396-3772
Drop-off hours:
Mon – Sat, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm 

Northwest Transfer Station
5030 Reisterstown Road
410-396-2706
Mon – Sat, 7 am to 5 pm

Compost your organic material

Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as compost. 

What should you compost?

• Yard waste such as weeds, grass clippings, tree trimmings
• Organic food waste (fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, etc.)
• Miscellaneous organic materials (newspaper, unbleached coffee filters, paper napkins, etc.)

Benefits of composting

• Diverts waste from the landfill, waterways, and water treatment facilities
• Significantly reduced pest problems and use of pesticides
• Adding organic materials to the soil improves moisture retention
• Adding decomposed organic material to the soil feeds beneficial organisms
• Compost provides a balanced, slow-release source of nutrients that helps the soil hold nutrients long enough for plants to use them
• Composting saves money; you avoid the cost of buying soil conditioners, bagged manure, etc.
• Feeding your plants well will improve your own diet; plants grown in depleted soils have a reduced nutrient content

How to compost

There are lots of places to look for advice on getting started, or upping your composting game. 

Resources

• Composting at Home
• How to Compost
• The Guide to Composting

Drop-off your food scraps for composting

Visit the Food Scrap Drop-off Program page to learn about options for food scrap recycling.

Grasscycling for your lawn

Grasscycling is leaving your cut grass clippings on your lawn to be recycled into mulch and fertilizer. The EPA estimates that 18% of the material dumped in landfills comes from yard waste. The practice of grasscycling can prevent your yard waste from reaching the landfill. 

Benefits of grasscycling

Grasscycling protects the waterways by slowing runoff from rain and melting snow; it also makes your grass grow thicker and healthier.

How to grasscycle

• When mowing, let grass clippings stay on your lawn. The grass clippings quickly decay and feed your lawn, making it greener and healthier.
• Mow your grass when it’s between 3 to 4 inches high. Grass grows thicker and healthier when it’s kept at 3 inches.
• Mow at least once a week during the peak growing season. 
• Mow your lawn when the grass is dry. Wet grass makes clumps that can smother the grass or clog your lawnmower. 
• Mulching mowers are designed to finely chop leaves and grass clippings, but any mower will do the job. 

Questions or concerns?

We're here to help. Please call 410-396-4511 or email the Office of Waste Diversion.   

Learn more about recycling services for city residents.