BALTIMORE — Most people didn't take not of the small piles of paper products stacked on sidewalks Friday. As piles increase in side, the uncollected recyclables caught people's eye.
"That is a bit distracting especially as you're walking down the block," said Portia Pitts. "I paused a few times to looked and said, 'is this really what's going on?' DPW are you here? Where are you?
According to a statement released Thursday, DPW said "Baltimore City, like other large cities such as Philadelphia, is facing challenges with trash and recycling collections due to COVID-19, weather-related challenges, and other circumstances beyond its control.
DPW is currently evaluating options to improve solid waste collections using external resources while trying to manage the situation at hand.
Updates on trash and recycling collection will be provided to residents when it’s known."
According to the statement, as of Friday, the following zip codes/neighborhoods had not been serviced for recycling collection.
Routes NOT being serviced Friday, Aug. 14 due to staff shortage
Southeast Recycling
42002 - Highlandtown
43001 – Coldstream Homestead Montebello
43003 – S. Clifton Park Darley Av Park
43006 – Biddle St/ Milton-Montford
44001 – Patterson Park
44002 – Fells Point
44003 – Fells Point
44004 – Brewers Hill
44005 – Patterson Park Neighborhood/ Canton
44006 – Canton Industrial Area/ Greektown
44007 - Graceland Park/Holabird Industrial Park
45001 – Harlem Park
45003 – Greenmont Cemetery/ Greenmont West
45005 – Pen Falls Way Old Town
46006 – Washington Hill
Northeast Recycling
24001 – Lake Walker
24002 – Woodbourne McCabe
25005 – Pen Lucy/Waverly
24006 – Original Northwood Ednor Gardens
25001 – Stonewood/ Pentwood/Winston
25002 – Morgan Park
25004 – Loch Raven
25005 – Hamilton Hills
25006 – North Harford Road
Northwest Recycling
14004 – Evergreen Blythewood
14006 – Homeland
14007 – Wyndhusrt Roland Park
15003 – Cross Keys Roland Park
15004 – Levindale Pimilco/Good Neighbors
15005 – Greenspring
15006 - Woodberry/ Medfield
Southwest Recycling
34001 – Carroll Park
35003 – Sharp-Leadenhall/Federal Hill
35004 – Stadium Area/Ridgely Delight/Federal Hill/Otterbein
35005 – New Southwest/Mt. Clare/ Washington Village/ Pig Town
Trash routes not completed Thursday, Aug. 13, will be completed Friday, Aug. 14.
Northeast Mixed Refuse
2408 – Waltherson
Southwest Mixed Refuse
3405 – Carroll- South Hilton
3411 – Westgate
Northwest Mixed Refuse
1406 – West Arlington/ Dorchester
1411 – East Arlington/Ashburton
DPW is asking residents to call 311 and report the issue.
But Baltimorians say they're tired of excuses and the 311 option.
"I’m back to work. Everyone has found solutions for their problems. We’re all getting back to work," said Pitts. "If DPW really wants to get back to work and they really want start integrating back into "societal norms" than come out and collect these piles. It's not cool."
Others agree, adding the pilled up and broken down boxes and plastic receptacles are an eyesore.
"I think the way we think about it is that it is kind of an eyesore," said Robert Hayden. "It does smell of trash and the recyclables get wet. But We understand what's going on right now and how everyone's being delayed.
"It’s everywhere," said Liza Ellis. "It’s kind of an eyesore but you know, times like this it’s kind of, you never know what’s gonna happen. It’s unfortunate but I’ve seen worse."
