Volunteer to Clean Up in Your Community

Community Pitch-in

Designed to encourage community involvement in cleaner, healthier, and safer neighborhoods by addressing issues like litter, illegal dumping and general cleanliness. It is a collaborative effort involving residents, community leaders and the Bureau of Solid Waste to foster a sense of shared responsibility and pride in the community. Community Pitch-Ins are for clean ups with 20 volunteers or more. All residents within the community may use the dumpster. 

Pitch-In Dumpster Request

The Pitch-In Dumpster Request is a standalone program designed for large-scale community cleanups—20 or more residents. It is not intended for individual use. This program encourages neighbors to come together to clean and beautify their communities. DPW supports these efforts by providing a dumpster for collected debris. The program enables each neighborhood to request up to four dumpsters per year, with DPW overseeing and managing their distribution to ensure fairness across neighborhoods.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the program, communities or volunteer groups must meet the following requirements:

  1. Volunteer Minimum: Clean-up events must include at least 20 volunteers.
  2. Designated Organizer: A community member Community Organizer must lead and coordinate the event.
  3. Event Verification: An event flyer or official posting must be provided as proof of the clean-up event. After a community pitch-in is confirmed, email the event flyer or official posting as proof of the scheduled cleanup: dpwpitchin@baltimorecity.gov.

Request Process

The updated process ensures transparency and fairness in resource allocation:

  1. Submission: Community Organizers must call 311 to submit a request, adhering to these guidelines:

    1. January through June: Up to two requests, starting December 1 of the prior year.
    2. July through December: Up to two requests, starting June 1. 

    The program enables each neighborhood to request up to four dumpsters per year.

  2. Verification: Organizers must provide an event flyer and confirm event details, including the date and location.
  3. Approval: The 311 team will review requests to ensure communities do not exceed the maximum annual allotment. Approved requests will be finalized by DPW, and dumpsters will be placed at designated locations.

Dumpster Guidelines

To ensure proper use of dumpsters, community members must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • View a full list of accepted and prohibited items.
  • Supervision: Dumpsters must be staffed at all times to prevent non-approved items from being placed in them. Clean-up organizers may request early removal of dumpsters if necessary.

Resource Availability

Saturday is a popular day for clean-up events, residents are encouraged to submit requests early, as dumpsters are often reserved quickly.

Volunteer Clean up

Make a difference in your community! We invite you to take an active role in maintaining the community to help foster a cleaner, greener and healthier Baltimore. Volunteer cleanups are a great way to work together, build community pride, and create a healthier environment for everyone. Submit a 311 request and we will provide volunteers with essential tools such as gloves, bags, and grabbers We will collect trash after the scheduled cleanup. To schedule a Volunteer Clean Up, call 311. 

Mayors Spring/Fall Clean up

Mayor Brandon Scott’s Spring and Fall Cleanups ae city-wide initiatives designed to bring Baltimore residents, city council, community groups, and businesses together to promote cleaner, healthier neighborhoods. DPW supports volunteers by supplying gloves, trash bags, and tools needed for effective clean ups. Bagged trash and debris are placed at designated collection sies. Be a part of Baltimore’s transformation! To register for Mayor Brandon Scott’s Spring or Fall Clean up, call 311.

Hosting a Community Cleanup? DPW Has Your Back!

woman volunteering at community clean up

We understand the importance of keeping our neighborhoods clean and vibrant, which is why we offer two programs to make your cleanup efforts easier and more effective. Whether you're tackling large bulk items or organizing a small litter cleanup, we have options tailored to fit your needs. Together, we can create cleaner, greener spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Solid Waste Clean-up Request

The Solid Waste Clean-up request refers to smaller community cleanups with fewer than 20 participants. Residents who register can borrow tools and will receive gloves, bags, and pickers. At the conclusion of the event, DPW will collect the debris for proper disposal.