Baltimore has enacted a significant increase in its landfill tipping fee, marking the first time in 32 years that such a change has been made. Effective from November 1, the fee will rise from $60 per ton to $127.50 per ton, with the inclusion of an existing disposal charge; the total will become $135 per ton. This move was confirmed by the Board of Estimates, as disclosed by CBS News Baltimore.
The adjustment is partly designed to discourage out-of-town haulers from utilizing the city facilities, as explained by the Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Matthew Garbark, who stated, as per CBS News Baltimore, "After more than three decades without an adjustment, Baltimore's tipping fee had fallen far below regional standards." The increase attempts to bring Baltimore's rates in line with those in surrounding areas and is also intended to extend the life of Baltimore's Quarantine Road Landfill by reducing the city's landfill burden.
The fiscal implications of this fee update are projected to generate an additional $8.9 million annually for the city. As noted by WMAR-2 News, this comes at a time when neighboring counties have similarly adjusted their fees, with Baltimore County raising its Eastern Landfill rate to $125 per ton last year.
However, this fee increase will not apply to all. According to the new terms, Maryland's waste-to-energy operator, BRESCO, will not see its fees influenced. As mentioned by CBS News Baltimore, their fees, set by a separate contract, are to increase annually by 2.5%. Small haulers also will not be affected by the rate hike and will continue to pay $20 for loads up to 7,000 pounds and $3.38 per 100 pounds above that threshold.
For Baltimore City residents, recycling, electronics, appliances, and household waste can still be disposed of at no cost at the DPW’s five Residential Drop-off Centers.
