(Washington, DC) The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) stated today that it will send District residents in affected neighborhoods information announcing new trash and recycling collection schedules to begin October 15, 2007. New brochures announcing the fall/winter 2007-2008 leaf collection season will be sent to residents in all neighborhoods. “The new trash and recycling schedule is necessary for improved collection service and greater accountability”, said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “Currently, the Monday/Thursday routes are heavier than the Tuesday/Friday routes, and the sanitation team may change from one day to the next,” said Howland. “We’re going to balance out the routes and maintain the same team for both days, which will result in residents seeing improved service from sanitation workers who are taking more ownership of their work.” Signs announcing the new trash and recycling schedules will be posted in affected neighborhoods in Wards 1, 2, 6, and 7, beginning October 5. In addition to posted signs, residents in those areas will also receive brightly colored door knockers listing the revised recycling schedule. Supercan routes will not change and only a small percentage of the twice-a- week collection routes will be affected. Leaf collection brochures will notify residents that the new leaf collection season will run from November 5, 2007, until January 12, 2008. The brochures include a ward-by-ward collection schedule and also provide instructions on how residents should prepare their leaves for collection, and other useful recycling information.