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Department of Public Works
 

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Residential Recycling Collection

The Department of Public Works (DPW) collects recycling once-a-week from single-family homes and apartment buildings with three or fewer living units. To make it easy, DPW offers single stream residential recycling with all recyclable items to be placed loosely in one container.

Apartment buildings with four or more units, mixed-use residential/commercial buildings and commercial properties are required to provide their own recycling collection services. Visit here to learn more about recycling requirements for commercial properties in the District

Your Recycling Day

Check here for schedule of recycling pickup in your neighborhood.

Acceptable Items for Recycle

Paper

Cups & Containers

Flattened Cardboard

Milk, Juice, & Soup Cartons

Newspapers/Magazines

Books/Phone Books

Junk Mail & Office Paper

(all items clean & empty)

*No Tissue

Plastic

Cups & Containers

Bottles & Lids

Bulky Items

(all items clean & empty)

*No Plastic Bags

*No Foam Polystyrene

*No Straws or Utensils

Metal

Steel & Aluminum

Bottles/Cans/Containers

(all items clean & empty)

*No Paint Cans

Glass

Glass Bottles / Jars

(all items clean & empty)

*No Windows or Ceramics

 

For a comprehensive list of what can be recycled in the District, please refer to this list.

Unacceptable Items to Recycle

  • Styrofoam
  • Peanuts (foam packaging)
  • Plastic Bags and Plastic Wraps: Plastic bags, wraps, and film of any color, size or shape are no longer accepted in DC’s Curbside Single Stream Residential Recycling. Find more information here.

For more information on how residents can get involved in waste reduction and diversion, please visit our Zero Waste DC website: zerowaste.dc.gov

Contact Email: 
Contact Phone: 
(202) 737-4404
Contact Fax: 
(202) 671-0642
Contact TTY: 
(202) 673-6833
Office Hours: 
Monday to Friday 8:15 am - 4:45 pm