Trash/Recycling Collections

• Be sure to place trash and recycling containers out for collection no earlier than 6:30 pm the night before collection and no later than 6:00 am on your collection day.
   
• Be sure to remove your trash and recycling containers from public spaces by 8 pm on your collection day.
   
• Keep the public space around your property free of litter.
   
• You can pay your SWEEP violations (Sanitation Tickets) online through the payment portal.

DO NOT FLUSH OR POUR MEDICINES IN THE TOILET!

The improper disposal of contaminated sharps is a serious safety concern for garbage collectors and landfill workers. If improperly thrown in trash bags along with regular trash, these sharps can puncture the bags and cause injury. Check with your doctor, clinic, or hospital to see about a needle or “sharps” disposal program at their office. Prevent injury, illness, and pollution by following these simple steps to dispose of sharp needles and contaminated materials used when administering home health care. We want to keep you, your family, and trash collection crews safe.

• Residents can take old/expired medicine to the various drug take-back-site (check National Drug Take-Back Day.)
• Mix old/expired medicines with dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds, then put them in the trash.
• Recycle the empty bottles after marking out personal information or removing the identification label from the bottle.
• Place needles, syringes, lancets and other contaminated sharps in any puncture-resistant, resealable, disposable household container (examples include an empty bleach bottle, laundry detergent bottle, or metal coffee can). We recommend choosing a container that has a small opening so no one can stick his or her hand into it.
• Using a RED marker, write on the container -- “BIOHAZARD—DO NOT RECYCLE.” The color Red is required to indicate a biohazard waste. Used needles and other contaminated sharps are NOT recyclable.
• Do not recap, purposely bend, break, or otherwise manipulate needles before inserting them into the disposal container. Drop all parts into the container.
• Once your container is full of used needles, fill the container with one part bleach solution and ten parts of water. Allow solution to soak for 20 minutes; this action will sterilize your used sharps. Then, pour the solution into the sink and seal the cap with tape before placing the disposal container into the garbage. Use heavy-duty tape (such as duct tape).
• Dispose of the container in your regular trash but do NOT use glass or clear plastic containers.
• We recommend you place any soiled bandages, disposable sheets and medical gloves separately in securely fastened plastic bags before placing them along with your other trash. Never share used needles.

Paint your address (including street name and number) on at least two sides of your containers using a bold, bright color that attracts attention and distinguishes your containers from your neighbors' containers.

Repair requests can be made online at 311.dc.gov or by calling 311. DPW will continue to replace other size cans and repair lids, bars, and wheels free of charge on all recently distributed containers with serial numbers that start with a W# for trash and R# for recycling. Containers with serial numbers starting with a DC# will not be repaired. DPW does not provide free replacement containers. 

Residents can pay for new containers by credit card, check or money order. Pay online with a credit card here. Payment via check or money order should be made payable to the “DC Treasurer” and mailed to: Department of Public Works, Attention: SWCD – Container Check Processing, 1725 15th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Residents requesting the senior discount must provide proof of age, such as a copy of the senior’s driver’s license, passport or non-driver identification issued by the DC Department of Motor Vehicles. When landlords make the request for their tenants who are senior citizens, proof of age of the tenant will be required. Please note that online payment does not allow you to submit proof of age. Mail this documentation to DPW, at the address provided above.