From Open Trash to Clean Alleys in Downtown Baltimore

Secure waste infrastructure helping reduce litter, control rodents and improve downtown sanitation

Before secure enclosures were installed, many service alleys in Downtown Baltimore were dominated by exposed trash carts, loose waste bags and frequent illegal dumping. Waste often spilled into pedestrian routes behind restaurants and businesses, creating sanitation issues and attracting rodents.

As part of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s Clean Alleys initiative, secure waste infrastructure was introduced to bring order to these heavily used service areas and improve cleanliness across the district.

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The Challenge

For years, many of Downtown Baltimore’s service alleys suffered from:

• Exposed trash carts and loose waste bags
• Illegal dumping and overflowing containers
• Rodent activity
• Cluttered service areas behind restaurants and commercial buildings

In some locations, piles of waste and recycling accumulated around open bins, spilling into pedestrian routes and gated alleyways. The situation created hygiene concerns and made it difficult for businesses and sanitation crews to maintain clean service areas. With thousands of residents, workers and visitors moving through the district each day, improving waste management infrastructure became essential to maintaining a clean, safe and welcoming downtown environment.

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The Solution

To address these issues, the Downtown Partnership installed metroSTOR Trash Cart Enclosure Units, designed to securely house commercial waste carts in narrow alleyways.

Each enclosure accommodates up to three 95-gallon trash carts within a durable steel structure built for high-use urban environments.

Key features include:

• Front-door access only, reducing public misuse and scavenging
• Electronic code locks to control access for authorized users
• Internal divider panels allowing multiple cart configurations
• Powder-coated steel construction in anthracite grey for durability and a consistent appearance

The units provide a secure and organised waste storage system that fits naturally within downtown alleyways while preventing the spread of litter and loose waste.

The Results

The impact of the installations was immediate.

Areas that previously contained open bins, loose bags and visible rodent activity were replaced with clean, organized and secure waste stations.

Key improvements include:

• Significantly reduced litter and overflow
• Improved hygiene in commercial service alleys
• Noticeable reduction in rodent activity
• A cleaner and more consistent appearance across the district

The structured containment of waste carts has helped transform previously neglected alleys into spaces that are easier for businesses, sanitation teams and city crews to manage.

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Client Perspective

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Key Takeaway

Downtown Baltimore’s Clean Alleys initiative shows how secure waste infrastructure can significantly improve sanitation in dense urban districts, helping cities reduce rodent activity, control commercial waste and create cleaner, more welcoming public spaces.