Baltimore Trash Collection Slows as WTE Facility Closes for Maintenance

City advises residents of potential delays in trash and recycling services through March 14.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:05pm

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Baltimore's main waste-to-energy (WTE) facility will be closed for scheduled maintenance from March 11 to March 14, causing the city's trash collection to slow during this period. The Department of Public Works has advised residents of possible delays in trash and recycling collection, as well as limited availability of roll-off containers at recycling drop-off centers and longer wait times at disposal sites.

Why it matters

The WTE facility in Baltimore plays a crucial role in the city's waste management system, converting approximately 700,000 tons of post-recycled waste into renewable energy each year. Its temporary closure will put additional strain on the city's waste disposal infrastructure, potentially leading to service disruptions for residents.

The details

The WTE facility, operated by Win Waste Innovations, will be closed for four days while its incinerator undergoes scheduled maintenance. During this time, the city's Bureau of Solid Waste disposal operations will be redirected to the Quarantine Road Landfill in Curtis Bay, Maryland. The increased volume at the landfill may result in slower trash collection on some routes, limited availability of roll-off containers at recycling drop-off centers, and longer wait times at the Northwest Transfer Station, Quarantine Road Landfill, and residential recycling centers.

  • The WTE facility will be closed from March 11 to March 14, 2026.
  • The Department of Public Works issued a service disruption alert to residents on March 10, 2026.

The players

Win Waste Innovations

A Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based company that operates the Baltimore WTE facility, which converts approximately 700,000 tons of post-recycled waste into renewable energy each year.

Baltimore Department of Public Works

The city agency responsible for managing waste collection and disposal services in Baltimore.

Quarantine Road Landfill

A landfill located in Curtis Bay, Maryland, where the city's Bureau of Solid Waste disposal operations will be temporarily redirected during the WTE facility's closure.

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The takeaway

The temporary closure of Baltimore's main WTE facility highlights the city's reliance on this critical infrastructure for waste management and the potential for service disruptions when such facilities undergo maintenance. This event underscores the importance of having a resilient and diversified waste disposal system to ensure reliable trash collection and recycling services for residents.