It is every homeowner’s responsibility and civic duty to maintain their property. This includes the front and back of their home, the sidewalk, the street in front of their home, and their portion of the back alley. Please protect Oakenshawe’s beauty by doing your share.
Oakenshawe Clean-Ups
Baltimore City Clean-Ups have demonstrated how successfully neighborhoods can come together to effect positive change. Oakenshawe has participated in all of these Clean-ups. A crew of neighbors turns out to tackle alleys and streets. The cumulative effect is an even more scenic stroll through our streets. Watch for notification of the fall Clean-Up in the Log or a web posting.
311
Calling 311, the Baltimore’s non-emergency number is a very useful method to report sanitation issues, request special services, and to report nuisances, including improper household practices. In many cases, 311 is your first and best call for assistance. You can also access the 311 system online.
Trash removal, recycling, and bulk trash are handled by Bureau of Solid Waste. Access their web site for general information on sanitation services.
Click here to email the Bureau of Solid Waste.
Trash Removal
- Every Tuesday and Friday, except holidays. Trash must be placed in the alley by 7:00 am.
- Trash should be bagged and placed in trash cans with tight fitting lids, marked with your house number. Proper trash cans prevent litter and rodent problems, please do you part to keep Oakenshawe clean!
- To report a missed trash collection, call 311 or 410-396-4515.
- To report sanitation problems (improper disposal or storage of trash) call 311. For JHU related issues, contact the community liaison’s office at 410-516-2359 or liaison@jhu.edu
Recycling
In 2008 the City of Baltimore launched a Single Stream Recycling program which makes recycling easier then ever. Recyclable materials (paper, glass, plastic, cans…) can be placed together and are picked up at the same time - One Bin, Same Day.
Oakenshawe is in recycling ZONE 2
- Recycling is picked up in the alley on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. The city mails a recycling calendar to each household at the beginning of the year. Click here for our schedule.
- Materials for recycling can be placed in boxes, paper bags, or any container marked recycling. Please ensure containers are adequate to prevent your recycling from becoming litter the alley!
- Call 311 or 410-396-596 for general information or to report a missed pickup.
- Click here for a list of recyclable materials and information on Single Stream Recycling
Household Hazardous Waste
Twice a year, in the spring and fall, the City provides an opportunity to properly dispose of material such as paint, paint thinner, propane tanks, acids, bleach, pesticides, herbicides, car and household batteries, drain cleaner, gasoline and many other items. Drop offs are held on a weekend at Poly High School on Cold Spring Lane. These drop off days are listed in the City Recycling Calendar and advertised in the local media. The Oakenshawe Improvement Association will send out a special notice when the hazardous drop off days are scheduled. For additional information, or to find out more about proper disposal of your household hazardous waste, please call 311.
Bulk Trash
Pick up of bulk items such as furniture, appliances or tires can be arranged by calling 311 or requesting the service online. All items must be clearly marked “bulk collection,” and placed at the same location as your regular trash on your scheduled bulk collection day. In general, construction materials will not be picked up. The Oakenshawe Contractor’s list contains private haulers who will remove bulk trash (make sure to use someone reputable who will properly dispose of the items.)
Bulk Dumping Locations
The city has 8 dumping locations which accept a range of trash and recycling, and offer electronics recycling. The service is free for city residents. Click here for locations and hours. (28 & Sisson Street is closest)
Leaf & Christmas Tree Collection
Bagged leaves are collected on the second collection (Friday) of each week, October through January.
The City generally offers Christmas tree mulching in January at Poly High School. The date is on the City Recycling Calendar, and will be announced by the Oakenshawe Improvement Association. In addition to disposing of your tree, residents can pick up free bags of mulch.
Many residents compost their own garden waste. If you do, please ensure your compost container is designed to deter rodents.
Bay Friendly Landscaping
Oakenshawe is known for its tree lined streets and well kept gardens, many of these gardens do more then look great, they provide important urban habitat, and help protect the bay. Learn more about Bay Friendly Gardening.
Rain Barrels
Storm water is a major problem for our city streams, Harbor, and the Chesapeake Bay, not to mention our basements. A rain barrel connects to a downspout to capture water when it rains for later use in the garden. Rain Barrels save water, and reduce the storm surge flowing into our streams. Rain that falls on Oakenshawe flows into storm drains to Stony Run (in Wyman Park), then onto the Jones Falls then the Inner Harbor. Our local Watershed Associations organize Rain barrel workshops and tree plantings and volunteer programs in our parks and streams, contact the Jones Falls Watershed Association or the Herring Run Watershed Association to learn more and get involved.
Rat Control
Responsibility for the Rat Control Program has been transferred to the Baltimore City Health Department. However, rat infestations are largely due to unsanitary practices which provide them with food and shelter. Historically, rats cause major public health problems: plague disease and bites which are sometimes fatal to children. Their gnawing creates holes that damage your property, expose electric wiring and destroy your home. Rat infestation lowers property values and the quality of life in your community. Rats eat nearly everything, especially garbage. Note: Rat Control cannot treat your property if it has excessive trash, bulk or high grass and weeds. Can your trash, clean your yard and help us starve out rats!
Graffiti Removal
The City maintains a graffiti control program. Click here to request this service.
Sanitation Enforcement
The City runs a forceful sanitation enforcement program. Click here to request this service.
Other City Services
Access general city service information here.