Why recycle?

Most items that we use every day—especially containers and paper-based products—are made of materials that can be used over and over again. Recycling is collecting used materials that would otherwise be thrown away, then breaking down and remaking these materials into new products. When we recycle more, we are saving resources and sending less trash to landfills and incinerators. That’s good for the environment.

Where do the recyclables go?

Department of Public Works (DPW) crews pick up the recyclable materials from your bin or cart, dump them all into a collection truck and take them to a specially-designed Materials Recovery Facility or MRF. At the MRF, recyclable items are sorted by type, shredded or crushed, baled, and loaded onto tractor-trailer trucks to be shipped to factories or mills in order to be remanufactured.

Why wasn't my recycling collected?

1. The collection crew accidentally missed your stop. Call the Mayor's Citywide Call Center at 311 to report it. A crew will come to collect the recycling within 24 hours after the request has been made.
2. Your recycling bin or cart contains contaminated materials. Contaminated material includes non-recyclables, un-rinsed bottles, cans, and containers, pizza boxes, motor oil bottles, and household garbage.

What should I do if a recycling truck damages my property during collection?

If a recycling truck or any city vehicle damages your property, please call the Mayor's Citywide Call Center at 311 or call the Office of Risk Management directly, at (202) 727-8600, to get information about how to file a claim.

How do I request a recycling bin or cart?

Most areas of the District have been converted to a new recyclables container—a small, wheeled cart that looks like a miniature blue Supercan. However, a few neighborhoods, such as Historic Georgetown, where homes have limited outdoor storage space, will continue using the conventional recycling bins. If your bin or blue cart is missing, stolen or badly damaged, contact the Citywide Call Center at 311 to request a new one.

How do I use the new recycling carts?

All your clean recyclables can go into the cart. No separating. Do not put recyclables into plastic bags. Just place items loose into the cart, including newspaper, office paper, mail, paperback books, corrugated cardboard, paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.), metal cans, glass containers and narrow-neck plastic bottles. If yours is among the few households that will continue to use a recycling bin, you may also combine your recyclables, rather that separating paper from plastic, metal and glass.

What should I NOT put in the recycling cart?

As of Autumn 2008, the Department of Public Works has greatly expanded the variety of recyclable materials which may be placed in your bin. Whereas in the past, hardback books; wide-mouth plastic tubs (margarine, peanut butter, yogurt); and plastic bags were “contaminants,” these can now be added to the loose mix, with all materials mixed freely; not bagged or tied together, with one exception: place all empty plastic bags to be recycled within 1 bag.

DO NOT PLACE THESE IN YOUR RECYCLING CART: light bulbs of any kind; window glass or glass cookware; clothing; syringes or needles; Styrofoam (or any foamed plastics); carryout cartons; salad bar containers, clamshelled plastics (e.g. containers for berries, small electronics and sometimes light bulbs) or pizza boxes.

Additionally, bottles that have contained toxic chemicals, such as motor oil and insecticide, cannot be put in with other recyclables. Strong chemicals and items with electronic components should be brought to our weekly Household Hazardous Waste and E-Cycling service drop-off at the city’s two transfer stations.

Can I recycle my newspapers if they get wet from rain or snow?

Under normal circumstances, we can accept wet newspaper, although dry newsprint is strongly preferred by processors. Unlike plastic, metal and glass, paper is organic. Rain/water causes paper to break down rapidly. One of the reasons that DC switched to the blue carts (which have lids) was to keep paper materials dry.

Are take-out containers recyclable?

No. This includes pizza boxes; deli and salad bar containers; paper cartons; Styrofoam®™ boxes, and the clear, clamshell type containers that hold strawberries and cherry tomatoes.

My neighbor says s/he saw a recycling truck mixing trash with his/her materials; who should I call?

In all cases it is important for the witness to record date/time/license of the truck involved and call the Recycling Hotline, (202) 645-8245. If the episode occurred at a commercial property, the witness should ask for a representative from the Office of Recycling.

If the episode occurred at private home receiving curbside or alley collection, the witness should call the above Recycling Hotline and ask for a collections route supervisor.

I live in a commercial property (four units or more) which is not recycling. How can I get bins and service?

Your property owner/manager is responsible for establishing basic recycling service from a private recycling hauler. Visit the Commercial Recycling page and download the Commercial Recycling Guide for an explanation of his/her obligations under DC Law.