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 developed a task force to study the proposal and make recommendations, including the possibility of entirely closing the facility and directing residents to the two remaining transfer stations. Blue Water Baltimore submitted our concerns that closing the facility could lead to increased illegal dumping in our parks and neighborhoods. We are calling on the City to make plans and commitments to increase neighborhood-level trash collection services if they choose to close this site.
In good news, Seawall Development has announced plans to buy the proposed relocation site on Falls Road and lead a community input process to shape its future, hopefully as a park or other public green space.
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.
