In support of Mayor Bowser’s Zero Waste Initiative, DPW has updated its yard waste collection program. Yard waste collection, to compost, will continue to help the District reach its zero waste goals and is now year-round by appointment only. Residents must call 311 or visit 311.dc.gov to make an appointment which allows DPW to accurately keep track of the city’s waste diversion.
Since August 26, 2021, Yard waste is only collected in paper bags, unlike previous years when plastic bags were acceptable for collection. DPW will collect up to 20 paper bags of yard waste from residences that receive DPW’s trash and recycling collection services.
Residents can:
- Leave their paper yard waste bags at the point of trash collection;
- Drop off their yard waste at Fort Totten Transfer Station (Tues.–Fri. 10:00 am -2:00 pm);
- Take a home composting class and learn how to compost at home.
Yard waste scheduled for pick up in plastic bags or found to contain improper materials will be labeled with an Oops! sticker. If a resident has more than 20 paper bags, the additional bags will be labeled with an Oops! sticker as well. Bags with Oops stickers will need to be rebagged in paper bags, if in plastic, and a new collection request must be scheduled so that the material can be picked up.
What is Acceptable Yard Waste
- Grass–Bagged (paper bags)
- Leaves–Bagged (paper bags)
- Weeds
- Bulbs
- Twigs
- Pinecones
- Uprooted Plants
- Bundled branches and limbs
- Green Woody Waste
What is Unacceptable Yard Waste
- Plastic Bags, Wrappers, or Film
- Plastic Jugs
- Aluminum or Steel Cans, Utensils, Pans
- Tires
- Facial or Toilet Tissue
- Pet Waste, including Cat Litter
- Kitchen Pots or Pans
- Ceramic or Plastic Dishes
- Sod
- Bamboo
- Rubble/Construction Materials
- Household Trash
- Styrofoam Containers
- Plastic Bottles
- Aluminum Foil, Disposable Aluminum Pans
- Grease or Fats
- Diapers
- Household Trash/Litter
- Foil Backed or Plastic Backed Paper
- Glass of Any kind
- Dirt
- Treated Lumber
- Electronics
- Oil or Paints
*Note* DPW will not collect yard waste that includes tree limbs and branches greater than 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length and stumps, dirt, stones, rocks, broken concrete, and broken pottery flowerpots. Please visit DPW’s What Goes Where Tool to learn how to recycle or dispose of these materials.
Call 311, or visit 311.dc.gov, to set up an appointment before putting your yard waste items out for collection.
