WJZ

As part of a proposal to cut garbage collection to once a week, Baltimore officials are working on plans to distribute 64-gallon trash cans to all city homes.

The plan was outlined Tuesday at a hearing called by City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Council members questioned claims that the rat population could be reduced as garbage collection was cut.

Rawlings-Blake has some concerns.

“We have to make sure people use these standardized trash cans appropriately, as well,” she said.

City officials say the new cans would have an attached lid to keep rats out. The cans will have wheels to make them easier to move and garbage trucks will be able to lift and empty them automatically.

A bar code on each city-owned can would assign it to a specific address.