DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: Education and Enforcement Programs

What We Do and Why We Do It
Keeping DC clean is a team effort - involving city government, residents and businesses - and DPW provides the tools for everyone to get on board. The Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program (SWEEP) is responsible for sanitation education and enforcement, and provides a variety of services to District residents to combat illegal dumping, clean up vacant lots, and support neighborhood clean-ups. When education does not result in following proper sanitation practices, SWEEP inspectors will enforce the sanitation regulations.

Illegal Dumping

Washington, DC has a no tolerance position toward illegal dumping and urges residents to help spread the word. DPW, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department, is offering a reward of up to $500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of each illegal dumper.SWEEP inspectors patrol their assigned areas daily on the lookout for sanitation violations, such as illegal dumping.If you spot trash or piles of debris that are not in proper containers (or they are set out in an otherwise unsanitary manner), not at a proper point of collection, or on a vacant lot or public property, please call the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311 and provide the following information:

The location (street, alley, vacant lot, etc. with an address, if possible) of the dumping.
Make, model and license tag number of the vehicle used to carry the item(s) to the site.
Time and date when the dumping occurred.
What kind of materials were dumped.

A DPW SWEEP inspector will investigate the dumping and make arrangements for clean-up.

Neighborhood Clean-Up Projects

DPW helps community groups that organize neighborhood clean-up projects through the Helping Hand Program. The program will lend tool kits that include five rakes and brooms, two shovels, and 20 trash bags. A $20 refundable deposit is required for all tool kits loaned under the Helping Hand Program. DPW also can provide the community groups with graffiti removal kits and compost. Residents also may obtain compost between March and October from either of the DPW trash transfer stations: Ft. Totten Trash Transfer Station at 4900 Bates Road, NE, weekdays from 1 pm to 5 pm and Saturdays from 8 am to 3 pm or the Benning Road Trash Transfer Station, 3200 Benning Road, NE, Saturdays only from 8 am to 3 pm. Both transfer stations are closed on holidays. Finally, DPW will send trucks to collect the bagged trash and a SWEEP inspector will collect the tool kit.To receive an application for a Helping Hand tool kit for your neighborhood clean-up project, please call the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311. When the clean-up date is confirmed by a Helping Hand Coordinator, a control number will be assigned for tracking purposes, the event will be added to the Helping Hand calendar, and the tool kit will be delivered.

Sanitation Enforcement
DPW emphasizes educating the public about proper sanitation practices, such as using trash cans rather than trash bags, using street litter cans and street recycling cans for pedestrian trash and recycling rather than littering, and keeping the sidewalk around your property clean. As the District’s population continues to swell, DPW makes a special effort to ensure new and long-time residents know their roles in keeping our city clean. When education does not work, SWEEP inspectors will issue tickets for violations such as using street litter cans for trash that should go in your own trash can, improperly posting signs in the public space, or having trash/recycling containers in public space before 6:30 pm the day before your collection day or after 8 pm on the collection day. Business property owners may be cited for not having licensed trash and recycling haulers or not having frequent enough solid waste collections.

Vacant Lots

Vacant lots often attract illegal dumping, which attracts rats and mosquitoes, if standing water is present. Children playing on these lots also can be injured. DPW works with other government agencies to keep these properties clear of weeds and trash. If you see a vacant lot in need of clearing, please call the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311. Property owners usually are given two weeks to resolve a problem after they receive notice. If action is not taken, DPW will clean the site and bill the property owner for the work.

For more information visit the Department of Public Works website.