Public Health & Environment Committee

Summary

The Public Health and Environment Committee conducted legislative oversight (LO25-0017) to assess Baltimore's progress toward its Zero Waste goals, as outlined in the Baltimore Sustainability Plan and the "Less Waste, Better Baltimore" plan. The hearing revealed a concerning trend: the residential waste diversion rate decreased from 18% in 2017 to 16% in 2024, despite efforts like distributing 170,000 recycling carts and restoring weekly recycling collections.

Key Challenges & Infrastructure:

• Landfill Capacity: The city's landfill has only 4 years of capacity remaining, with a projected $100 million expansion cost.
• Incinerator Contract: The Wheelabrator incinerator contract is set to expire in 2030-31.
• Composting: Development of a compost facility at Bowleys Lane is planned, with current design and construction costs estimated at $70 million, of which $29 million is currently funded (including a $4 million EPA grant). Phase I construction is expected to take 3 years.
• Waste to Wealth: The Camp Small initiative continues to upcycle 9,000 tons of wood waste annually.

Committee Requests: Councilmembers requested more regular public tracking of waste diversion statistics, a clear implementation timeline for zero waste initiatives, a communication plan to build public trust in recycling, and updates on the landfill expansion and incinerator contract status. Legislative opportunities like Extended Producer Responsibility and bottle laws were also discussed.

Citizen Impact

Residents are directly affected by the city's waste management services; the decrease in the residential recycling rate and limited landfill capacity highlight an urgent need for improved waste reduction and recycling. Future costs for landfill expansion or new disposal methods could impact city finances. Efforts to expand composting and improve recycling aim to create cleaner neighborhoods and a healthier environment.

Confidence

high