Do the right thing. Recycle!

The Department of Public Works manages two recycling programs:
Residential Recycling Collection
Commercial Recycling Education and Enforcement

For Residents

DPW provides free recycling collection for single-family homes and small residential buildings (with up to three living units). To make it easier for residents to recycle, most areas of the District have been provided with a free blue, 32-gallon mini-Supercan container. Residents with narrow alleys and limited outdoor storage space use recycling bins provided for free by the District. If you need an additional or replacement cart or bin, call the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311. In once-a-week trash collection neighborhoods, recycling is collected the same day as your trash. In twice-weekly trash collection neighborhoods, recycling is collected on either the first or second collection day. DPW has provided a Twice-Weekly Collection: Recycling Boundary Map* that displays your street’s recycling schedule.

For Businesses

By law, recycling is required in all commercial establishments – including residential buildings with four or more apartments, retail and grocery stores of all sizes, office buildings, churches and schools/colleges. DPW’s commercial recycling investigators educate the business community on the city’s recycling laws and work with them to develop a recycling plan that will help them conserve natural resources. Fines are assessed for violating the District’s recycling laws. The fine amounts are printed on the ticket. If your building does not recycle, please call the DPW Recycling Office at (202) 645-8245 to learn what you can do. Business owners and building managers may go to http://www.recycle.dpw.dc.gov/, then click on “Commercial Recycling” for information about establishing a recycling plan and a list of licensed recycling haulers.