A Call for Smarter, Safer Waste Solutions in Baltimore
Proposed Relocation of the Sisson Street Trash Transfer Station
UPDATE:
Thanks to the advocacy of our community and many others, Mayor Brandon Scott has announced that he is developing a Sisson Street Task Force comprised of City Council members, community associations, and government representatives to evaluate all options related to the relocation of the Sisson Street Transfer Station. This means we can make a better plan than locating the facility along the Jones Falls!
The Proposal
The City plans to relocate the Sisson Street Trash & Recycling Transfer Station (2840 Sisson St.) to a new site at 2801 Falls Road.
The move would allow the City to sell the Sisson Street property to a private developer and build new facilities at the Falls Road site.
Why This Matters
1. The New Site Puts Our Waterways at Risk
- The Falls Road site sits in a FEMA-designated Flood Hazard Zone. We know FEMA flood maps underrepresent potential flash flooding caused by extreme downpours exacerbated by climate change, so the real risk could be even greater.
- It is just 150 feet from the Jones Falls, which flows directly into the Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Bay.
- Floodwaters could carry trash, oil, and hazardous materials into our waterways, threatening water quality and public health.
2. Hazardous Waste in the Floodplain
- Sisson Street is the only station that accepts household hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, etc.).
- Relocating these materials to a floodplain increases the risk of toxic spills and contamination.
3. Increased Safety Concerns on Falls Road
- Falls Road is already a busy commuter corridor for cars, cyclists, and pedestrians.
- Adding heavy truck traffic will create serious safety hazards.
4. Limited Alternatives = More Illegal Dumping
- With Reedbird (Western Sanitation Yard) closed for the next 2-3 years, the number of operating transfer/acceptance stations would drop from 4 to 3.
- Fewer locations = higher risk of illegal dumping, especially in central neighborhoods and the Jones Falls Valley.
The Options on the Table
- Option 1: Relocate to Falls Road. Environmental and safety risks; limited long-term benefits.
- Option 2: Do Nothing. No modernization; illegal dumping likely to skyrocket.
- Option 3: A Smarter Alternative
- Convene a community-driven working group to evaluate options.
- Explore distributed, short-term solutions (rolling dumpsters, satellite drop-off sites).
- Study whether a central transfer station is needed at all – building on prior research.
- In partnership with the Baltimore City Office of Sustainability, develop a long-term waste strategy that prioritizes sustainability and equity.
Our Call to Action
We urge City leaders to:
- Reject the Falls Road relocation.
- Launch a comprehensive, transparent process to evaluate alternatives that protect our communities and waterways.
How You Can Help
Contact your City Council representative and tell them Baltimore needs smarter solutions:
- Say NO to Falls Road.
- Say YES to a real evaluation of alternatives.
Baltimore deserves a waste system that is safe, fair, and sustainable – not one that sacrifices our communities and waterways.