(Washington, DC) Today DC Department of Public Works (DPW) crews resumed collecting trash, recycling and bulk materials from District residences. Collections are following the holiday schedule, which means collections will be made one day later than normal, as a result of this week’s sleet, ice and snow storm. DPW Director William O. Howland Jr. said that ice and persistent sub-freezing temperatures are slowing and, in some cases, preventing safe collections, especially those to be made from alleys. Therefore, residents are being asked to put out their materials where they are normally collected. If the items are not collected according to the holiday schedule, residents should leave them out to be collected either later this week or next.

“The storm, coupled with sub-freezing temperatures, is making it impossible to collect safely from every home as scheduled, especially those homes where collections are made from the alleys,” Howland said. “Approximately 70 percent of collections are made from alleys, so some of our light plow trucks are spreading salt at these sites to help out the collection crews.”

Mr. Howland explained that the sub-freezing temperatures are predicted to last through the week and the collection crews will do their best while being mindful of their and the public’s safety. “Our crews have safety as their top priority,” said Howland. “That means they will do everything possible to protect against accidents to people and property.”