Local Stream and Litter Cleanups

Litter does more than look bad and detract from our communities—it washes into storm drains and pollutes our waterways. There’s no single solution to combating the litter issue in Baltimore County, which is why we've taken a multi-agency approach through both litter prevention and removal programs. Learn more about these programs below. For more information, email greenteam@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Vanquish Litter-Zilla

When litter drops, it doesn't just disappear. It threatens our whole community. Litter destroys our waterways when rain washes it into storm drains, rivers and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

View the short clip below to learn how we can vanquish Litter-Zilla.

BaltCo Litter Blitz 2025 Coming this Fall

BaltCo Litter Blitz is a Baltimore County anti-litter cleanup campaign, where community groups register online to conduct volunteer litter cleanups of any size during specified Litter Blitz timeframe. The Fall 2025 BaltCo Litter Blitz will take place in September and October, and online cleanup registration will open during the month of September. 

NAME OUR STREAMS CONTEST

The Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (EPS) is working to call attention to the importance of protecting our local streams that lead to the Chesapeake Bay and you can help.

We’ve identified three unnamed neighborhood streams in Windsor Mill, Hillendale and Pikesville, and invited community members to add their “watermark” by submitting suggested names for EPS’ consideration. The winning names are submitted for United States Geological Survey (USGS) approval and then can appear on official maps and signs.

CURRENT RESULTS

The Spring 2024 contest winners are “Fairbrook Creek” in Windsor Mill, and “Onskat Stream” in Hillendale. EPS will submit these names to the United States Board of Geographic Names for final approval and report back. Thank you to everyone who picked up litter and submitted a name.

PREVIOUS CONTESTS

The USGS has approved “Church Meadow Creek” as the new name for the previously unnamed, local stream in Pikesville. It crosses Church Lane and runs through a new, four-acre County park. Thanks to everyone who submitted a stream name suggestion and participated in a Clean Green 15 litter cleanup.

ANTI-LITTER PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTS

To help give your anti-litter efforts a lasting, ripple effect throughout your community, we encourage you to participate in the following County programs that combat litter and show that you care about keeping our environment clean.

THE LITTER-SMART BUSINESS PROGRAM

The County’s Litter-Smart Business program for commercial operations and other establishments offers real-world tactics for effective waste management, as well as encouraging litter removal and prevention. Sign up online on the Litter-Smart Business dashboard. Download and view the Litter-Smart Business Guide and Pledge, available in English and Spanish. 

COUNTY LITTER REMOVAL AND ENFORCEMENT

The County’s street sweeping program helps keep sediment and trash from clogging storm drains and flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. The Bureau of Highways’ street sweepers remove some 6,000 tons of debris each year from County roadways with curbs and gutters. The Bureau of Highways also responds to complaints of roadside dumping and excessive litter.

Code Enforcement works in collaboration with residents to maintain and improve communities by enforcing County Code and zoning regulations. Their inspectors respond to complaints on residential and commercial properties, including trash or debris in yards.

VOLUNTEER AT YOUR LOCAL WATERSHED ASSOCIATION

Join a local watershed association to participate in volunteer opportunities to make improvements to our streams, forests and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. Find contact information for your local watershed below to learn about restoration activities available in your community.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Watch the "Watershed Moments" video series.

View the "Litter-Zilla" animated video ad.