(Washington, DC)  The Department of Public Works announced that due to today’s wintry mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow, trash and recycling collections are cancelled for Monday, March 3.  Residents with Monday collections are asked to keep trash and recycling until their next collection day.  DPW also advises residents that collections are likely to be affected through the week because of the weather, so check www.dpw.dc.gov or www.snow.dc.gov for updates. 

“Our collections truck drivers must keep safety uppermost as they assess their ability to navigate streets and alleys to pick up trash and recycling,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr.  “They are looking out for conditions that could injure the crews as well as damage property.  ” 

Director Howland noted that temperatures below 22F hinder the effectiveness of the salt used to treat the streets and that temperatures don’t rise above freezing until Wednesday.  While most collections occur in the alleys, which are not plowed, the low temperatures also may affect curbside collections, especially those made on narrow, one lane streets with parking on both sides.  He added that every effort will be made to collect trash and recyclables, including extending the collection day through 7 pm.

“I want to thank our customers for their amazing patience with spotty collections during the winter,” said Director Howland.  “We have had 25 snow/ice events since November, which is five more than we had during that infamous winter of 2009-2010.  DPW is ready to welcome warm weather.”

DPW is requesting that residents whose trash and/or recyclables are not collected pull their containers back onto their properties.  Collections will be made on the next regularly scheduled service day. 

Residents with bulk appointments also can expect those collections to be made as road conditions permit.  If you have a bulk appointment and the items are not collected, please call 311 to reschedule your collection day.