DPW targets recycling polluters
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is launching its new OOPS Tag Recycling Initiative, a citywide program designed to reduce contamination in recycling bins, improve recycling efficiency, and strengthen environmental sustainability efforts.
Confusion about what can be recycled has led to increased contamination in the city’s recycling stream. When non-recyclable items or food residue are placed in recycling bins, truckloads of materials become unusable, increasing costs and reducing the effectiveness of Baltimore’s recycling program.
To address this challenge, DPW is placing OOPS Tags on recycling bins found, to contain incorrect or non-recyclable items. Each tag clearly identifies the contamination issue and provides guidance on how to properly recycle moving forward. When a bin receives an OOPS Tag, residents will be asked to remove the incorrect items before their recycling is collected on the next scheduled pick-up day.
Recycling contamination occurs when non-recyclable items are placed in recycling bins. Common contaminants in Baltimore include plastic bags and packaging film; batteries; tangling items such as hoses and wires; textiles and clothing; construction and demolition debris; and food residue. If you are unsure if an item is recyclable, visit DPW’s Recycle Right Tool.
Assembly bill would give neighborhoods a say in State Center’s future
State Sen. Antonio Hayes and Del. Melissa Wells have introduced legislation in Annapolis to ensure that nearby community organizations, including BHCA, are part of the planning and decision-making around the fate of the soon-to-be-closed State Center government complex. Both legislators represent State Assembly District 40, which includes Bolton Hill, the office building campus and adjacent neighborhoods.
BHCA President Lee Tawney testified this month in support of Hayes’ Senate Bill 818, which is similar to a law passed by an earlier General Assembly to protect neighborhood interests. Back then, State Center was to have become a mixed-use development of new government offices, shops,a supermarket and housing to replace the aging campus of office buildings. That plan was gutted by former Gov. Larry Hogan and, more recently, most state employees have moved downtown. There is no known organized opposition to the bill, and so chances of passage are good before the legislative body adjourns April 13.
Two on Tuesday! Mount Royal Pollinator Garden
Volunteers are needed on Tuesday, March 31, at 4pm for two hours of light work, food and refreshments to help create a Mount Royal Public School Pollinator Garden (across from On the Hill Cafe at Mosher & Johns Streets). Volunteers will be prepping the garden for planting: transplanting bushes, laying down a weed barrier to deter the wire grass, and preparing for a delivery of wood chips later in the week. Bring gloves. Pizza and beverages will be provided. Kids very welcome to join.
First Friday is back
Friends and neighbors are invited to acknowledge the first Friday of every month with drinks and snacks at the Park Avenue median in the 1600 block of Pare Avenue from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring your favorite drinks and snacks to share.
Scouting seeks a presence in Bolton Hill
A representative of what once was called Boy Scouts of America but now is open to girls as well hopes to create a Cubs Scout chapter in Bolton Hill and central Baltimore. A representative of Scouting USA appeared at BHCA’s March meeting advocating for the creation of a Cub Scount chapter for girls and boys in kindergarten through 5th grade. For further information contact Marianna Ross, 443-573-2536, marianna.ross@scouting.org
About the Bulletin:
The Bolton Hill Bulletin is published monthly, except for July and August, put together by Elizabeth Peters. Paula Jackson and Bill Hamilton. We invite others to help with writing, editing, photography or work on the business side. Contributors this month were, among others, Kevin Cross, Dolph Druckman, Don Feuerstein, Francine Marchese, John McLucas, Sallye Perrin and Lee Tawney. Errors and omissions are the responsibility of the editor, Bill Hamilton. Comments are welcome at bulletin@boltonhillmd.org.
Download PDF