How to Use Drop-Off Center

Our drop-off locations are free of charge for city residents to dispose of household waste and recyclable items. But it is important that you dispose of your items properly. Below is a guide to help you learn how to use the City's drop-off centers. Find your local Residential Drop-off Center. 

Effective November 1, 2025, a fee of $135 per ton will apply to all commercial haulers and residents disposing of non-hazardous solid waste at the Quarantine Road Landfill. Baltimore City residents may continue to dispose of recycling, electronics, appliances, and household waste at DPW’s five Residential Drop-off Centers at no cost.

Items You Can Drop-Off

  • Household trash
  • Furniture and other bulk items
  • Appliances
  • Scrap metal
  • Tires without rims
  • Cans
  • Glass
  • Plastics
  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Electronics
  • Used motor oil - up to 5 quarts
  • Yard waste that is bagged appropriately
  • Oyster shells - The Sisson Street Drop-Off Center accepts oyster shells for recycling.

Items You Should Not Drop Off

  • Paint
  • Solvents
  • Pesticides
  • Pool chemicals
  • Acids
  • Caustics
  • Gasoline
  • Mercury thermometers/thermostats
  • Syringes
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Propane tanks
  • Helium tanks
  • Batteries
  • Fluorescent light bulbs
  • Any other solid, liquid, or gaseous substance that is regulated as hazardous by State or federal law.

Note: Some items may be recycled during household hazardous waste collection days. Visit Household Hazardous Waste for more information. Here's additional guidance on Hard-to-Recycle Items.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

Household hazardous waste collections are offered the first Friday and Saturday of the month June through December. Dates may be adjusted for holidays.

Drop-Off Months: June through December

When: The first Friday and Saturday of the month

Where: Sisson Street Drop-Off Center 

Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D) Drop-Off

Residential Customers

Residents may dispose of Construction & Demolition (C&D) materials only at the Quarantine Road Landfill (QRL) scale house for a disposal fee of $135 per ton.

Small Haulers

Small haulers are permitted to dispose of Construction & Demolition (C&D) materials at the scale houses at both the Quarantine Road Landfill (QRL) and the Northwest Transfer Station (NWTS), subject to applicable disposal fees and acceptance requirements.

Acceptable C&D Materials

Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste includes materials generated during construction, renovation, and demolition projects. C&D materials are accepted only if they are:

  • Non-hazardous
  • Free of asbestos and lead-based materials
  • Properly sorted into acceptable material types before disposal

Facility Restrictions

Northwest Transfer Station (NWTS)

  • Does not accept C&D materials such as dirt, concrete, bricks, stone, gravel, and similar inert materials.
  • Does not accept hazardous C&D materials, lead-based materials, asbestos-containing materials, or free-flowing liquids (such as wet paint or other liquid waste).

Quarantine Road Landfill (QRL)

  • Does not accept hazardous C&D materials, lead-based materials, asbestos-containing materials, or free-flowing liquids (such as wet paint or other liquid waste).

Donate Your Durable Medical Equipment

We do not accept medical equipments.

Drop-Off Regulations and Policies 

The Residential Drop-Off Centers are only for Baltimore City residents with valid IDs.

Visiting the Drop-Off Centers

  • All visitors must remain with their vehicle while using the Residential Drop-off Center.
  • A resident who is not a small hauler is limited to no more than two (2) loads per day and no more than five (5) loads per week. This limit will be strictly enforced.
  • Residents may only deliver materials to the Residential Drop-Off Centers by use of a passenger car, unmodified van, unmodified minivan, or an unmodified pickup truck that is no larger than 3/4 ton.
  • Visitors must obey all safety guidelines for driving in and out of the facility, and for properly disposing of materials. Violation of any facility safety regulation is grounds for suspension of disposal privileges.
  • Material intended for disposal must be secured so it can be safely transported without creating traffic hazards.
  • Trash and recyclables must be deposited in the proper designated containers. Knowingly violating this policy may lead to suspension of a resident’s or small hauler’s privilege to utilize any Drop-Off Center.
  • Yard waste, including leaves and bushes, must be bagged to keep the area free of dirt and foliage. Branches cannot be longer than 3 feet and the diameter cannot exceed 4 inches.
  • Any visitor using profanity or who is verbally abusive may be dismissed from the facility and barred indefinitely from using any Residential Drop-Off Center. Anyone who is barred must formally request reinstatement from the Department of Public Works.
  • Salvaging, junking, or removing any items from the Residential Drop-Off  Center is strictly forbidden and will be considered theft of City property.

Contact us

For more information on services available at the drop-off centers, please contact the specific Residential Drop Off Center using the contact information above.