The Less Waste, Better Baltimore Master Plan outlines a clear vision for improving the City’s solid waste management and recycling operations. 

The plan identifies options for improving solid waste diversion, recycling, and disposal in Baltimore City, using the City-adopted Climate Action Plan and 2019 Baltimore Sustainability Plan as roadmaps.

What's in the plan

The Less Waste, Better Baltimore operations plan provides a roadmap for:

  • Reducing food waste
  • Increasing composting across the residential and commercial sectors
  • Expanding access to recycling
  • Maximizing reuse and diversion of construction waste
  • Providing increased options for recycling and reuse of bulky waste items such as mattresses, carpets, and broken furniture
  • Upgrading the range of recycling services available at DPW’s residents’ drop-off convenience centers

View the master plan

Read the Less Waste, Better Baltimore Master Plan document online.

About the master planning effort

The master planning effort was a three-step process that sought public input at several stages.

Step 1: Information gathering

Collected data and information, including waste sort data, evaluation of the existing system, benchmarks, national and international best practices, and stakeholder input. 

Step 2: Analysis

Analyzed the stakeholder input with the waste sort data, existing system evaluation, and benchmarking data to develop a set of options for the City to consider for improving and increasing waste diversion and recycling, as well as managing what’s left in a sustainable and cost-conscious manner 

Step 3: Plan development

Developed a set of recommendations and sought feedback from the public. Public input was evaluated and incorporated into the final plan.

Contact us

If you have questions about the plan, email us at lesswaste@baltimorecity.gov.