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