BALTIMORE — Baltimore’s Department of Public Works announced Thursday that it is suspending recycling pickup throughout the city through at least Nov. 1 to focus on its trash routes, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a factor in the move.
The department pointed to shortages of workers and an overwhelming demand for service resulting from the pandemic, The Baltimore Sun reported.
Public Works acting director Matthew W. Garbark said in a statement that recycling drop-off centers would be set up in each of the city’s 14 districts for residents to dispose of their recycled products. Command centers would be established to oversee those centers.
Workers who normally specialize in recycling will shift to trash collection, he said.
In recent weeks residents across the city have complained about trash not being picked up. Garbark said in a news release that since a stay-at-home order was issued, Baltimore has seen a 22% increase in trash pickup. Meanwhile, crews from the bureau of solid waste have faced shortages due to COVID-19 or workers being in quarantine due to being in contact with someone with the virus, as well as other illnesses or leave.
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