City of Baltimore and Baltimore County property owners and community managers: simplify multifamily recycling compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with Maryland Environment Article § 9-1711 (Apartment Building & Condominium Recycling), the City of Baltimore’s Article 23 Sanitation framework, and Baltimore County’s Multifamily Single-Stream Recycling Program to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey, inspector-friendly program.
Under Maryland Environment § 9-1711, owners or managers of apartment buildings and condominiums with 10 or more dwelling units must provide recycling for residents — including collection and removal in accordance with the jurisdiction’s recycling plan. The City of Baltimore implements this through its Apartment Building & Condominium Recycling (ABCR) program and Article 23 Sanitation. Baltimore County implements the same state mandate through its Multifamily Single-Stream Recycling Program and collection regulations. Violations of § 9-1711 can trigger civil penalties of up to $50 per day of non-compliance.
- Statewide Mandate (10+ Units): Apartment and condominium properties with 10+ dwelling units must provide recycling service for residents (Md. Env. § 9-1711, implemented through local recycling plans).
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep collection reduces cart-room crowding, dumpster overflow, litter, and contamination — especially at high-occupancy and move-in/move-out periods.
- Compliance Simplified: Program design that matches Baltimore City’s ABCR implementation and the Baltimore County Multifamily Single-Stream Recycling Program, plus solid waste management plans.
- Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly layouts, signage, resident education, and documentation that support enforcement under Md. Env. § 9-1711, Baltimore City Article 23, and Baltimore County Code § 13-4-213.
At a Glance: City of Baltimore vs Baltimore County
City of Baltimore
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for apartment buildings and condominiums with 10+ dwelling units under Maryland Environment § 9-1711, implemented by the City’s ABCR program.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to apartment buildings and condominiums with 10 or more dwelling units citywide. Baltimore’s Ten-Year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) incorporates the ABCR program and implementation schedule.
- Duties: Property owners or managers must:
- Provide on-site recycling containers sized for the property.
- Arrange for collection and removal of recyclables to legal recycling markets.
- Educate residents about how and when to participate in the ABCR program.
- Maintain clean set-out areas and prevent contamination and litter.
- Enforcement: Md. Env. § 9-1711(d) provides a civil penalty up to $50 per day of violation, enforceable by local governments. Article 23 of the Baltimore City Code (Sanitation) — including Subtitle 21 General Penalties and the Environmental Control Board — provides for citations and fines for sanitation-related violations.
- Key City Links:
DPW Press Release – Apartment & Condo Residents Can Recycle (ABCR)
Baltimore City Ten-Year Solid Waste Management Plan (ABCR sections)
Baltimore City Code – Article 23 Sanitation (PDF)
Baltimore City – Recycling Services
Baltimore City Code Online
Baltimore County
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for apartment buildings and condominiums with 10+ dwelling units under Maryland Environment § 9-1711, implemented through the Multifamily Single-Stream Recycling Program.
- Applicability Threshold (Multifamily): Applies to multifamily properties and condominiums with 10 or more units in all Baltimore County communities. The County has no incorporated municipalities; communities like Catonsville, Nottingham, Gwynn Oak, Towson, Dundalk, Essex, Parkville, Randallstown, Pikesville and others are unincorporated and follow the County’s implementation of state law.
- Program Duties (Multifamily): The County’s program supports owners and managers to:
- Provide clearly labeled, adequately sized recycling containers on-site.
- Arrange collection service with a hauler and ensure materials go to appropriate recycling facilities.
- Provide education and outreach to residents to reduce contamination.
- Maintain safe, clean, and accessible collection areas that meet County collection regulations.
- Enforcement: Md. Env. § 9-1711(d) authorizes civil penalties up to $50 per day of violation, enforced by local governments. Baltimore County Code § 13-4-213 (“Recycling of Wastes”) authorizes adoption of recycling regulations, and the County’s Residential Trash & Recycling Collection Regulations govern set-out, collection, and prohibited practices (including scavenging).
- Key County Links:
Baltimore County – Multifamily Single-Stream Recycling Program
Baltimore County Code – Article 13, Title 4, Subtitle 2 (incl. § 13-4-213)
Residential Trash & Recycling Collection Regulations (PDF)
Baltimore County – Residential Recycling Collection
Baltimore County Solid Waste Management Plan (2019–2028)
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
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Maryland State Law – Apartment & Condominium Recycling (Md. Env. § 9-1711):
For both the City of Baltimore and Baltimore County, the core enforcement tool is Maryland Environment § 9-1711. Under subsection (d), a person that violates the recycling requirements (failing to provide recycling for residents at covered properties or failing to implement the county plan) is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $50 for each day on which the violation exists. Local governments (including the City and the County) may inspect covered properties and bring enforcement actions, and any penalties collected are paid to the jurisdiction that brings the enforcement action.Authoritative Links:
Md. Env. § 9-1711 – Apartment & Condominium Recycling · Justia Summary – Md. Env. § 9-1711 -
City of Baltimore – ABCR Implementation & Sanitation Code Enforcement:
Baltimore City’s Ten-Year Solid Waste Management Plan incorporates an Apartment Building & Condominium Recycling (ABCR) Program, with an implementation schedule requiring owners and managers to educate residents, provide containers, and secure hauling for recyclables. Article 23 of the Baltimore City Code (Sanitation) establishes responsibilities for solid waste handling, mixed refuse collection, recycling planning, and general penalties enforced through citations and the Environmental Control Board. While the City’s code does not list a separate, higher multifamily recycling fine schedule, ABCR non-compliance can trigger:
• Civil penalties of up to $50 per day under Md. Env. § 9-1711; and
• City citations and fines under Article 23 (Subtitle 21 General Penalties) for related sanitation violations (improper storage, litter, etc.). -
Baltimore County – Multifamily Single-Stream Recycling & County Code:
Baltimore County’s Multifamily Single-Stream Recycling Program exists specifically to help apartment and condominium communities comply with the same 10+ dwelling unit state mandate. County Code § 13-4-213 (“Recycling of Wastes”) authorizes the County to adopt regulations to promote recycling, and the Residential Trash & Recycling Collection Regulations detail set-out rules, container standards, and prohibitions such as scavenging of recyclables. As with the City, there is no separate county-only penalty schedule that changes the 10+ units threshold; rather:
• Violations of Md. Env. § 9-1711 may incur civil penalties of up to $50 per day; and
• Violations of County solid waste regulations may lead to warnings, citations, and administrative enforcement under County code and regulations. - Note: Neither the City of Baltimore nor Baltimore County has adopted a stricter local unit threshold than the 10+ dwelling units set by state law for apartments and condominiums. Both rely on Md. Env. § 9-1711 plus their own solid waste codes and regulations for enforcement.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City of Baltimore & Baltimore County Multifamily)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Authoritative Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Coverage Under the 10+ Unit Law |
Determine whether your community is covered by Md. Env. § 9-1711:
• If your property is an apartment building or condominium with 10 or more dwelling units in the City of Baltimore, you must provide recycling for residents under the state law and the City’s ABCR implementation. • If your property is an apartment building or condominium with 10 or more dwelling units in Baltimore County (including unincorporated communities like Catonsville, Nottingham, and Gwynn Oak), the same state mandate applies and is implemented through the County’s multifamily program. |
Md. Env. § 9-1711 – Apartment & Condominium Recycling Baltimore City DPW – ABCR Press Release Baltimore County Multifamily Program |
| ☑ Subscribe to or Maintain Recycling Service |
Ensure your property has active, documented recycling service:
• Contract with a permitted hauler or, in the City, coordinate with DPW/approved haulers for recycling service that covers the main materials your residents generate. • In Baltimore County, align service frequency and container sizes with County guidelines for multifamily communities. • Retain copies of service agreements, invoices, and any reporting you submit to the City or County. |
Baltimore City – Recycling Services Baltimore County – Recycling Collection County Collection Regulations (PDF) |
| ☑ Containers, Layout & Signage |
Provide clearly labeled recycling containers in safe, convenient locations for residents:
• Size containers and pickups to prevent overflow and windblown litter. • Use signage and color-coding to distinguish recycling from trash and to list accepted/not accepted materials. • Maintain safe access for residents and haulers (clear pathways, proper enclosure design, lighting). • In the City, follow Article 23 Sanitation requirements for receptacles and collection days; in the County, follow collection regulations for set-out and container placement. |
Baltimore City Code – Article 23 (PDF) Baltimore County Collection Regulations (PDF) |
| ☑ Resident Education & Communication |
Build a resident communication plan that shows ongoing good-faith compliance:
• Provide written recycling instructions to residents at move-in and at least annually. • Use email, resident portals, community boards, and door hangers to remind residents how to participate. • Include clear visuals of what goes in recycling vs. trash, and where to bring materials. • Keep copies (PDFs, screenshots, printouts) of all recycling communications in your compliance file. |
Baltimore City “Re-News” ABCR Outreach (PDF) Baltimore County Multifamily Program – Outreach & Training MDE – Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment (2025, PDF) |
| ☑ Documentation & Avoiding Daily Fines |
Create an “inspection-ready” compliance file for your community:
• Service contracts and recent invoices for recycling and trash. • Photos of container areas showing signage, cleanliness, and correct set-outs. • A log of contamination issues and corrective actions (e.g., extra education, service right-sizing). • Copies of resident education materials and dates they were distributed. • Notes from internal walk-throughs or meetings with haulers, DPW, or County staff. With this documentation, you can demonstrate compliance and reduce the risk of up to $50/day civil penalties or additional local code-enforcement actions. |
Md. Env. § 9-1711 – Penalties & Inspections Baltimore City SWMP – ABCR Monitoring Baltimore County Collection Regulations (PDF) |
| ☑ Turn Compliance into a Leasing Advantage |
Use your recycling program as a marketing asset:
• Highlight valet recycling and clean, well-managed waste areas in tours and leasing materials. • Promote the community’s alignment with Maryland’s recycling requirements and local sustainability goals. • Feature before-and-after photos of improved collection areas and testimonials from residents about convenience and cleanliness. |
Baltimore County Multifamily Program – Goals & Benefits Baltimore City Recycling Services |
Need a fast compliance check in the City of Baltimore or Baltimore County? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Baltimore-area property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation so you can stay ahead of Md. Env. § 9-1711 and local code enforcement while giving residents a cleaner, more convenient recycling experience.
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