(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Department of Public Works (DPW), in partnership with the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), will host a Zero Waste DC Community Fair on Saturday, March 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Eastern Market’s North Hall, 225 7th Street SE. This free event will connect District residents to resources offered by the District Government and local zero-waste businesses and organizations and give them the tools to embrace best zero waste practices.

The fair also celebrates the new Zero Waste DC Plan, which was released in February 2024 and outlines the District’s strategy to achieve a more sustainable future, maximize the benefits of renewable and reuseable resources, and minimize the amount of waste and greenhouse gas emissions generated by residents and government agencies by diverting 80% of solid waste away from landfills and incinerations.

Featured activities at the fair will include:

• Cooking Scrappy Demonstration – Chef Bertrand Brown-Orleans will teach residents delicious ways to incorporate typically wasted food scraps into their cooking, how to stretch their food budget, get creative, and fight food waste.
• Bicycle Repair Clinic –The Bike House will offer bicycle maintenance resources and education, as well as provide access to professional tools and repair stands for residents to fix their bicycles.
• Children’s Clothing Swap – Climate Classes DC will host a clothing swap for pre-owned children’s clothes (ages 0-12). Residents can swap clean clothing their children have outgrown for “new-to-you” clothing. Any items remaining at the end of the event will be donated to local DC organizations.
• Small Battery and Cell Phone Recycling – Old or broken batteries can be a hazard in your home or in your household trash. Residents can bring their broken cell phones and small single-use or rechargeable batteries to be recycled with Call2Recycle.

Other confirmed participants include Community Forklift, Compost Crew, Ward 8 Woods, The Rounds, DPW’s Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program, and Food Rescue US. DPW will also provide information on residential and commercial recycling and composting. DOEE will provide information on Fix-It DC and Reuse DC, the District’s online hub for learning where to repair, donate, and shop secondhand.

DPW’s Food Waste Drop-Off will be occurring simultaneously at Eastern Market in front of Rumsey Aquatic Center (635 North Carolina Avenue SE). Residents can bring their food scraps to drop-off and be composted from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

To learn more about the event, go to ZeroWasteDCFair.eventbrite.com. For a list of other food waste drop-off locations throughout the District and acceptable materials, visit zerowaste.dc.gov/foodwastedropoff. To learn about more progress the District is making towards its zero waste goals, read the District of Columbia’s Solid Waste Diversion Annual Report (2019-2022) at dpw.dc.gov/wastediversionreport.