
Baltimore City is committed to sustainability, environmental conservation, and recycling plastic to help protect the environment. The city has implemented a comprehensive curbside recycling program that encourages residents to sort and recycle plastic. All plastic types, including plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, containers, and trays, can be recycled by placing them in the blue bin. The city makes it easy for residents to recycle by providing recycling centers around the city and ensuring that trash collectors pick up recyclables. The Eastern Sanitary Landfill is the only active landfill in Baltimore County, and it has already surpassed half of its capacity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic tubs recyclable | Yes |
| Plastic tubs accepted at Eastern Sanitary Landfill | Yes |
| Other recyclables accepted at Eastern Sanitary Landfill | Glass jars and bottles, aluminum/tin/steel cans and containers, foil, paper bags, plastic bottles, magazines and catalogs, newspapers, office paper, junk mail, wide-mouth containers |
| Other recyclables not accepted at Eastern Sanitary Landfill | Ammunition, asbestos, ashes, auto parts, building and construction material, compressed gas tanks, dead animals, drum containers, explosives/firearms, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, liquids (including paint), medical waste, poisons, acids, sawdust, tires, wood and lumber, electronics, ceramics/dishes, food waste, motor oil containers, household hazardous waste, light bulbs, window glass, mirrors, clamshell containers, batteries, styrofoam |
| Other recycling centers in Baltimore | Three trash and recycling drop-off centers, Northwest Citizen Convenience Center, Central Acceptance Facility in Cockeysville |
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What You'll Learn

Plastic tubs are recyclable in Baltimore
The city of Baltimore is known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. The city has implemented a comprehensive curbside recycling program that encourages residents to sort and recycle plastic items. As part of its role, the Recycling Division promotes recycling and waste prevention (reduction and reuse).
Eastern Sanitary Landfill is the only active landfill in Baltimore County, and it has already surpassed half of its capacity. Plastic tubs are accepted as part of Baltimore's recycling program. However, plastic bags, even if marked as recyclable, are not accepted in the County's recycling program. Plastic bags of any type must not be used to set out recyclables for collection. It is recommended that you bring reusable bags with you when shopping to eliminate the need for plastic bags.
Baltimore County operates three facilities where County residents can take residential trash and recyclables. All plastic numbers, including plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and containers, can be recycled by placing them in the blue bin. The city makes it easy for residents to recycle plastic by providing recycling centers around the city and ensuring that trash collectors pick up recyclables.
Plastic recycling varies depending on the type of plastic used, but certain types have a higher recycling rate. The majority of plastics can be recycled and reused, but there are some that are not. Thermoset plastics, for example, cannot be remelted into new materials and thus become unrecyclable.
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Baltimore's commitment to sustainability
Baltimore is known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. The city has implemented a comprehensive curbside recycling program that encourages residents to sort and recycle plastic numbers. All plastic numbers, including plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and containers, can be recycled by placing them in the blue bin. The city makes it easy for residents to recycle by providing recycling centers and ensuring that trash collectors pick up recyclables.
Baltimore County provides a comprehensive recycling schedule to help residents reduce their environmental impact. The county has programs that accept paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum, and other materials. All recyclables should be placed in the appropriate containers and placed at the curb by 7 AM on the designated collection day. The Eastern Sanitary Landfill is the only active landfill in Baltimore County and has already surpassed half capacity.
Baltimore's Office of Sustainability and Commission on Sustainability compile annual reports to track the city's progress toward its sustainability goals. The 2019 Baltimore Sustainability Plan was developed through a public engagement process that touched thousands of residents. The plan uses a racial equity lens to address disparities and promote justice. It outlines strategies, actions, and measures of success across five core themes and 23 topic areas.
Baltimore City Public Schools have also demonstrated a commitment to sustainability by minimizing the environmental impact of their buildings, educating school communities about the connections between their daily actions and the environment, and empowering students to be leaders in creating a more sustainable future. The district's sustainability plan includes building and renovating schools to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standard, improving indoor air quality, creating opportunities for enjoying nature and learning about the natural world, and educating students, staff, and the community about energy conservation.
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Drop-off locations for plastic tubs
Baltimore City is committed to recycling plastics to help protect the environment. The city has implemented a comprehensive curbside recycling program that encourages residents to sort and recycle plastic items. Plastic tubs are accepted at the Eastern Sanitary Landfill Solid Waste Management Facility in White Marsh, which is the only active landfill in Baltimore County.
The Eastern Sanitary Landfill accepts a range of plastic items for recycling, including tubs, bottles, jars, jugs, containers, trays, disposable cups and plates, flower pots, toys, buckets, and plastic bags. It is important to note that plastic items should be empty and rinsed if heavily soiled.
In addition to the Eastern Sanitary Landfill, Baltimore City offers several other drop-off locations for plastic tubs and other recyclables. These include the Residential Recycling Centers, which are located at the Quarantine Road Landfill and the Northwest Transfer Station. Baltimore City also has Citizen Drop-Off Centers at five locations specifically for electronic recycling (eCycling) and white goods (e.g. stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, air conditioners).
It is important to note that proof of city residency, such as a driver's license or telephone bill, is required to drop off items at the Residential Recycling Centers and Citizen Drop-Off Centers. Additionally, there are limits to the number of loads per day and week at the Residential Recycling Centers, and only certain types of vehicles are permitted.
The City of Baltimore provides a comprehensive recycling schedule and detailed disposal regulations on its website, along with contact information for further inquiries.
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Other recyclable plastics in Baltimore
Baltimore is known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. The city has implemented a comprehensive curbside recycling program that encourages residents to sort and recycle plastic. All plastic numbers, including bottles, tubs, jugs, and containers, can be recycled by placing them in the blue bin. The city provides recycling centers around the city and ensures that trash collectors pick up recyclables.
Baltimore County operates three facilities where county residents can take residential trash and recyclables. These include the Eastern Sanitary Landfill, the only active landfill in Baltimore County, and two other drop-off centers. Residents can also recycle certain items at these centers, such as textiles, which can be in any condition as long as they are clean, dry, and odorless.
- Plastic bags (although these are not accepted in the county's recycling program and should not be used to set out recyclables for collection)
- Plastic cups, plates, utensils, buckets, flower pots, toys, and trash cans
- Rigid plastics such as milk/soda crates, buckets, laundry baskets, lawn furniture, totes, plastic drums, coolers, flower pots, water bottles, pallets, pet carriers, shelving, and closet organizers
- Plastic bottles and jars with symbols #1 through #7
- Narrow-neck plastic bottles used for food liquids, soap, soda, or water
- Plastic trays, shampoo bottles, and margarine tubs
It is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable, and certain types of plastics have higher recycling rates than others. For example, polyolefin lenephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) are commonly recycled. On the other hand, thermoset plastics cannot be remelted into new materials and are therefore unrecyclable.
Additionally, some items are not accepted in Baltimore's recycling program, such as Styrofoam, plastic clam shells, CDs or DVDs, motor oil or pesticide bottles, plastic electronics, juice pouches, and crinkly wrappers from snacks and chips.
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Plastics that are not recyclable
Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. While Baltimore City has implemented a comprehensive curbside recycling program that encourages residents to sort and recycle plastic numbers, not all plastics are recyclable.
Additionally, some plastic items are not recyclable due to contamination or the type of plastic resin used. For example, plastic bags, plastic wrap, and thin films are not recyclable because they can clog recycling machines if not separated properly. Plastic building materials, such as vinyl blinds, fencing, and siding, are also not recyclable due to weathering, building codes, and the use of low-value plastic resins.
Plastic food packaging, such as clamshells, take-out boxes, and containers heavily contaminated with food, are made from low-value plastic resins and are not recyclable. Plastic knives, forks, and spoons are also not recyclable because they are too small and made from low-value plastic resins. Plastic cups, plates, and bowls, including disposable and takeaway coffee cups, are not recyclable as they are heavily contaminated with food and made from low-value plastic resins.
Other plastics that are not recyclable include prescription and over-the-counter medication bottles, which are too small and made from low-value plastic resins, and plastic hazardous substance containers, such as automotive fluids, pesticides, and drain cleaners, which have contained hazardous substances.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic tubs are recyclable in Baltimore.
Examples of plastic tubs that can be recycled include margarine tubs, sour cream tubs, yogurt tubs, and milk crates.
To recycle plastic tubs in Baltimore, you can place them in the blue bin with other recyclables or take them to one of the city's recycling centers. Make sure to rinse and scrape off any excess product from the tubs before recycling.
Yes, Baltimore has several trash and recycling drop-off centers, including the Eastern Sanitary Landfill in White Marsh. Residents can also recycle household hazardous waste at the Northwest Citizen Convenience Center on designated days.
Yes, certain types of plastic, such as plastic bags, Styrofoam, plastic clam shells, and motor oil containers, are not accepted in Baltimore's recycling program. It is recommended to use reusable bags instead of plastic bags to reduce waste.










































