Sustainability in Baltimore: Local Programs You Need to Know About
Traveling has a way of opening your eyes. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to visit 35
countries—each with its own culture, beauty, and challenges. But one thing has
remained heartbreakingly consistent: the overwhelming presence of plastic waste.
From the beaches of Southeast Asia to the rice fields of Africa, I’ve seen how plastic
pollution transcends borders, devastating communities and ecosystems alike. These
experiences have profoundly shaped my understanding of sustainability and inspired
the mission behind Dirtbag Goods.
1. Baltimore Compost Collective
What They Do:
The Baltimore Compost Collective is a youth-led food scrap collection service that turns waste into nutrient-rich compost. They collect food scraps from homes and businesses in the Curtis Bay area and teach the next generation about sustainability and green jobs.
Why It Matters:
In a city where food waste often ends up in landfills, this program offers a practical and scalable solution while empowering local youth
How to Get Involved:
Sign up for their food scrap pickup service and start composting your household waste today.
2. 4MyCity
What They Do:
4MyCity is a nonprofit focused on reducing food waste and combating food insecurity. They partner with local businesses to redirect surplus food to those in need and recycle organic waste into compost and animal feed.
Why It Matters:
By tackling food waste on multiple fronts, 4MyCity is addressing both sustainability and community well-being. Their innovative approach ensures that nothing goes to waste.
How to Get Involved:
Volunteer, donate, or encourage local businesses to partner with them to reduce waste and support the community.
3. Compost Cab Baltimore
What They Do:
Compost Cab Baltimore makes composting easy by offering residential and commercial food scrap pickup services. Their mission is to help Baltimore residents divert waste from landfills and turn it into valuable compost.
Why It Matters:
Compost Cab eliminates the hassle of composting while making it accessible to those who may not have the space or time to do it themselves.
How to Get Involved:
Sign up for their affordable weekly or bi-weekly pickup services
4. Waste Neutral
What They Do:
Waste Neutral provides composting services for individuals, businesses, and events across Baltimore. They also educate communities about waste reduction and sustainability practices.
Why It Matters:
Whether you’re hosting a zero-waste event or looking to reduce your business’s footprint, Waste Neutral offers tailored solutions to make sustainability simple.
How to Get Involved:
Contact them for event services or learn more about their waste reduction programs.
5. bugs - Baltimore’s Urban Gardening Movement
What They Do:
Community gardening programs like the Patterson Park Community Garden and the Filbert Street Garden provide spaces for residents to grow their own food while promoting sustainable practices like composting and pollinator-friendly planting.
Why It Matters:
Urban gardens reduce food miles, improve food security, and bring Baltimoreans together to build a more sustainable future.
How to Get Involved:
Find a local garden near you and sign up to volunteer or rent a plot.
At Dirtbag Goods, we’re proud to call Baltimore home and to support the city’s sustainability initiatives. Our home-compostable straws align perfectly with local composting programs, breaking down in 90 days or less in your backyard or through community services like the Baltimore Compost Collective or Compost Cab.By creating practical, affordable alternatives to single-use plastics, we’re helping reduce waste and making sustainability accessible to everyone—whether you compost at home or rely on these incredible local programs.
Not in Baltimore? Use Find a Composter to locate composting programs in your city. Supporting local sustainability efforts is a great way to make an impact wherever you are.
From composting initiatives to urban gardens, Baltimore is a city that’s not just surviving—it’s thriving in the face of environmental challenges. Programs like these remind us that real change starts at the community level.
At Dirtbag Goods, we’re proud to be part of Baltimore’s sustainability story. Join us in supporting these programs and creating a greener, cleaner future for our city and beyond.
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