Baltimore County Residents Upset Over Missing 2025 Recycling Calendar
For Scott McGovern and many Baltimore County residents, the end of the year signifies a familiar tradition – the arrival of the county’s annual trash and recycling guide. Typically sent in the form of a 5-inch by 8-inch folded mailer, this guide serves as a crucial resource for households, providing a 12-month calendar highlighting pickup days, holiday collections, bulk trash days, and more. McGovern eagerly anticipates this guide every year, unfolding it to reveal the calendar page and promptly displaying it on his refrigerator for easy reference.
However, this year brought an unexpected twist. The 2025 recycling guide, released last month, featured 12 colorful pages filled with detailed instructions on recycling do’s and don’ts, waste can labeling, drop-off locations, and weekly pickup schedules. Yet, conspicuously absent was the indispensable calendar that residents like McGovern relied on. Bewildered, McGovern and others were left searching in vain for the customary calendar, only to find a QR code directing them to the county website – a far cry from the personalized calendar they were accustomed to.
Barb Cohn, another county resident, expressed frustration at the guide’s new format, criticizing it as “poorly designed, excessive in information, and confusing.” The guide’s misstep was further compounded by incorrect holiday dates, including Christmas listed on Dec. 26, necessitating a subsequent correction mailer that left residents perplexed rather than enlightened.
In response to the backlash, Ron Snyder, a spokesperson for the county Bureau of Public Works and Transportation (BPW), acknowledged the oversight and the ensuing confusion among residents. While the decision to eliminate individualized calendars from the guides was a cost-saving and sustainability measure, Snyder recognized the need to accommodate residents without easy online access. The ultimate goal, he stated, is to transition to an online platform for calendar access, aligning with the county’s commitment to recycling and sustainability.
Despite these intentions, County Councilman David Marks revealed that many constituents, particularly senior citizens, have expressed their preference for the traditional pamphlets over QR codes. Marks advocated for a return to the old calendar system, a sentiment echoed by residents like McGovern, who found comfort in the familiarity and practicality of the previous guides.
Looking ahead, Snyder affirmed the agency’s commitment to evaluating feedback and exploring solutions that balance efficiency with accessibility. While plans for an online calendar system are in the works, the timeline for implementation remains uncertain. As Baltimore County navigates this transition, residents like McGovern and Cohn underscore the value of user-friendly, community-centric solutions that cater to diverse needs and preferences.
