A recent article1 explored the ongoing debate surrounding the Baltimore WIN Waste waste-to-energy (WtE) facility, revealing a city divided on how best to manage its waste. As part of its “Less Waste, Better Baltimore” Master Plan report from July 20202 , the city has set ambitious goals to improve solid waste and recycling. One of the most relevant targets to the WIN Waste WtE facility is diversion of 80% of residential food and organic waste away from landfills and incineration.
Public opinion on the WIN Waste facility is anything but uniform. The article featured perspectives from various stakeholders, including environmental advocate Mr. Dipnarine, who supports the facility, and members of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the South Baltimore Land Trust, who oppose it. This division mirrors broader community sentiment, as reflected in Baltimore’s Task 1 Survey Report. With over 2,000 responses, the survey found that 41% of residents supported a pay-as-you-throw trash system, while an equal percentage opposed it.
The article also touched on the importance of benchmarking waste management strategies. Internationally, Sweden and Denmark are often cited as models for waste-to-energy success, but Baltimore has opted to compare itself to domestic cities like Austin, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, and Portland. Which of these cities provides the best roadmap for Baltimore remains an open question.
From a regulatory standpoint, Baltimore’s facility meets or exceeds federal, state, and city emission standards. However, public trust and perceptions of fairness in waste management policies will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of waste-to-energy in the region.
The city’s approach—benchmarking against comparable U.S. cities and adhering to strict emissions regulations—suggests a methodical path forward. But for any waste policy to be successful in practice, it must be based on sound assumptions. Professor Marco J. Castaldi from EEC casts doubts on the ambitious reductions and diversions targets, and he acknowledges that recycling doesn’t always go as planned. Whether Baltimore can navigate these challenges effectively remains to be seen, and hopefully, local journalists will continue to shed light on this important issue.