Baltimore DPW Restores Alley Trash and Recycling Collection After Winter Storm

Standard rear-alley trash and recycling collection has resumed across Baltimore City after a January snowstorm and weeks of freezing temperatures left many alleys icy and blocked. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works announced that collection returned to normal operations effective Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

“The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will resume standard rear-alley trash and recycling collection beginning Tuesday, February 10, 2026,” the agency posted while reiterating operational guidance for residents. “Collection days are not changing. Routes begin at 6:00 a.m. Please set materials out by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day or place them out after 6:00 p.m. the evening before. Residents should report any missed trash or recycling collection by calling 311 or visiting the 311 website.”

DPW temporarily altered trash and recycling routines Jan 27–31, 2026, citing “snow, icy conditions, and forecasted freezing temperatures” and deployed heavy equipment to clear icy alleys on Feb 1. DPW explained the temporary changes were designed to protect worker safety. “These adjustments help protect worker safety while allowing crews to collect as much trash as possible under difficult conditions,” the agency said, and warned that “mechanical street sweeping may be suspended during severe weather.”

On-the-ground reporting from the Brooklyn neighborhood shows a mix of relief and ongoing frustration. At Fourth and Jack Streets, resident Stephen Hawkins described the alley conditions: “It looks pretty bad back there. It’s piled up to my height.” Broadcaster copy captured the extra effort some neighbors had to make: “I had to take trash out and take it to the end of the street. Got picked up there.” Those actions helped trucks access waste when alley approaches were still blocked.

DPW said heavy equipment will continue to clear alleys to enable safe access for sanitation trucks, and local reports note that alley clearance could last up to two weeks depending on weather. The agency also thanked city residents for patience and understanding as crews complete recovery work.

For Baltimore residents, the practical steps are clear: follow collection schedules, set out trash and recycling by 6:00 a.m. on your day or place materials out after 6:00 p.m. the night before, and keep waste securely bagged in City-issued green trash cans or sturdy containers with tight-fitting lids. If collection is missed, report it to 311 by phone or online. Monitor the DPW winter-weather page for ongoing updates about trash and recycling, street operations, and safety.

Restoring alley service should ease mounting piles in many neighborhoods, but residents in deeper blocks should expect crews to continue focused clearing work before trucks can reach every rear alley. Continued cooperation and timely reporting to 311 will help DPW close the final gaps in service.