Sofia Martinez
Baltimore County has strict rules regarding the use of plastic bags. The Baltimore Office of Sustainability has implemented the Comprehensive Bag Reduction Act to ban single-use plastic bags at the point of sale, pickup, or delivery. This act aims to reduce plastic pollution, which can end up in trees, streets, parks, drains, and waterways. Baltimore County's Bring Your Own Bag Act also discourages the use of single-use plastic bags and encourages the use of reusable bags. Yard waste collection programs in the county specify that yard materials must be placed in heavy-duty paper lawn and leaf bags or bundled with non-plastic string, with plastic bags not accepted. However, there are some instances where plastic bags are permitted, such as for containing produce, bulk foods, or damp items like frozen foods and flowers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaf bags accepted by Baltimore County Yard Materials Recycling Collection | Paper bags |
| Plastic leaf bags accepted | No |
| Plastic bags accepted at recycling centers | No |
| Plastic bags banned at point of sale | Yes |
| Plastic bags used for yard waste | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Yard waste collection rules
Baltimore County's Bring Your Own Bag Act aims to reduce plastic pollution and waste from single-use carryout bags and encourage the use of reusable bags. The Act prohibits the distribution of single-use plastic bags at the point of sale. Retail establishments are encouraged to charge a minimum of $0.05 for each paper or reusable bag distributed to encourage shoppers to bring their own bags.
The County's yard materials recycling collection guidelines also reflect this shift towards sustainability. From April 1 onwards, yard materials will be collected separately from residents with scheduled yard material collections. These collections will occur from April 1 through December 14. The County regulations require that yard materials set out for separate collection must be placed in heavy-duty paper lawn and leaf bags or bundled with non-plastic string. Plastic bags will not be accepted for yard waste collection.
When setting out yard materials on collection days, residents must use heavy-duty paper bags only. Grass and leaves should be placed in two-ply paper lawn and leaf bags, while branches and limbs must be no larger than three inches in diameter, no longer than three feet, and tied in bundles. It is important to note that yard waste should not be placed in trash containers or the street, and leaves or other yard materials should not be raked or blown into the public street.
Additionally, residents are advised to limit the number of bags to 5-20 bags per collection and ensure that their yard waste is easily accessible for collection crews. Wet leaves may require splitting into smaller bags to avoid excessive weight. Clear plastic or paper bags are usually accepted for yard waste collection, but it is important to check the waste collection schedule for specific guidelines in your area.
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Plastic bags for recycling
Baltimore County has strict rules regarding the use of plastic bags for recycling. The county's Bring Your Own Bag Act and Comprehensive Bag Reduction Act aim to reduce plastic pollution and waste by prohibiting the distribution of single-use plastic bags at retail establishments. Residents are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags when shopping to reduce the use of plastic bags.
For yard waste and recycling collection, Baltimore County has specific guidelines. Yard materials, such as grass, leaves, and branches, must be placed in heavy-duty paper lawn and leaf bags or bundled with non-plastic string. Plastic bags are not accepted for yard waste collection. Residents are advised to check their waste collection schedule and place yard waste in accessible areas for collection.
While plastic bags marketed as "recyclable" or "compostable" are available, Baltimore County's recycling program does not accept them. Plastic bags can cause malfunctions in the processing equipment at the Materials Recovery Facility, endangering workers and wasting time and resources. It is important for residents to refrain from using plastic bags for recycling and to dispose of plastic bags properly to support the county's efforts in reducing plastic pollution.
Baltimore County provides multiple drop-off centers for recycling various items, including textiles, electronics, and rigid plastic items. Residents can recycle clean and dry textiles, such as clothing, accessories, and linens, at these centers. Electronics recycling may be handled through manufacturer take-back programs or donations to charities. Rigid plastic items can also be brought to the drop-off centers for recycling.
It is important for Baltimore County residents to follow the guidelines for plastic bag use and recycling to support the county's environmental initiatives and keep their community clean and sustainable.
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Paper bags for yard waste
Baltimore County has introduced a number of measures to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags and encourage the use of reusable bags. The Bring Your Own Bag Act prohibits the distribution of single-use plastic checkout bags at the point of sale, with a minimum charge of $0.05 for each paper or reusable bag distributed. Retailers are also not allowed to provide plastic carryout bags that are not reusable.
In line with these measures, Baltimore County requires that yard waste materials are placed in heavy-duty paper lawn and leaf bags for collection. Yard waste includes grass, leaves, branches, and limbs. The paper bags must be two-ply, and there should be no more than 20 bags per collection. Yard waste should not be placed in trash containers or the street, and it is a violation of County Code to place yard waste in a County street or storm drain.
The use of paper bags for yard waste ensures that the waste can be composted effectively, reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal. It also helps to keep the streets and drains clear, reducing the risk of blockages and contributing to a cleaner and greener Baltimore.
In addition to using paper bags, residents can also bundle their yard waste with non-plastic string. This provides an alternative option for those who wish to further reduce their use of single-use bags. It is important to note that plastic bags, even those marked as recyclable, are not accepted as containers for yard waste in Baltimore County.
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Plastic bags for yard waste
Baltimore County has strict rules about the use of plastic bags for yard waste. The Baltimore Office of Sustainability has implemented the Comprehensive Bag Reduction Act to reduce plastic pollution in the county. This Act bans the use of single-use plastic checkout bags and encourages the use of reusable bags. Retailers are required to charge a minimum fee for each alternative bag distributed, with a portion of the fee going to the city.
For yard waste, Baltimore County regulations require residents to use heavy-duty paper lawn and leaf bags or bundle yard waste with non-plastic string. Plastic bags are not accepted for yard waste collection. Residents are advised to place grass and leaves in two-ply paper bags and ensure that branches are no larger than three inches in diameter and no longer than three feet. It is also important to note that yard waste should not be placed in trash containers or the street, and leaves should not be raked or blown into the public street to avoid fines.
The county provides a schedule for yard material collection, which typically occurs between April 1 and December 14. Residents can view their specific schedule on the Bureau of Solid Waste Management's website. If a resident's schedule does not include separate yard day collection, they can take their yard waste to one of the county's drop-off centers.
While some residents have reported that trash collectors have picked up their yard waste in plastic bags, this is not guaranteed, and it is recommended to follow the county's guidelines to ensure proper disposal of yard waste.
Overall, Baltimore County is committed to reducing the impact of plastic pollution and encouraging the use of reusable and environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic bags, including for yard waste disposal.
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Dropping off recycling
Baltimore County has three trash and recycling drop-off centers where residents can drop off their recycling. The Solid Waste Management office provides information on what can be dropped off at these centers and how to prepare items for recycling.
The County's website provides a schedule for yard material collection, which includes grass, leaves, and branches. Yard materials must be placed in heavy-duty paper lawn and leaf bags or bundled with non-plastic string. Plastic bags will not be accepted for yard material collection.
For other recyclables, Baltimore County's single-stream recycling program accepts five categories of materials:
- Food and beverage containers, such as bottles and cans, which must be lightly rinsed prior to recycling.
- Pizza boxes, which are recyclable if not heavily soiled with grease, cheese, or food.
- Rigid plastic items.
- Electronics, which can also be donated to charities or reuse organizations.
- Textiles, including clothing, accessories, footwear, and linens, which must be clean, dry, and odorless.
It is important to note that plastic bags, even those marketed as "recyclable," are not accepted in the County's recycling program. When setting out recyclables for collection, residents should use reusable bags instead of plastic bags to avoid malfunctions in the processing equipment.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Baltimore County does not accept plastic bags for yard waste collection. Yard materials must be placed in heavy-duty paper lawn and leaf bags.
Plastic bags are a large contributor to plastic pollution and can take up to 500 years to degrade. By banning the use of plastic bags, Baltimore County aims to reduce litter, prevent storm drain blockages, and decrease its carbon footprint.
Residents of Baltimore County can use heavy-duty two-ply paper lawn and leaf bags for yard waste collection. Alternatively, yard waste can be bundled with non-plastic string.
Paper leaf bags can be purchased at various retailers in Baltimore County. Some hardware stores, garden centers, and home improvement stores may carry paper leaf bags.
Yes, there are restrictions on the weight and quantity of leaf bags. Each bag should not be too heavy, especially if the leaves are wet. It is recommended to split wet leaves into smaller bags. Additionally, there is a limit of 20 bags per collection, and yard waste should be limited to five bags per collection.
