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zerowaste

Zero Waste
Zero Waste

Trash - Residents

The Department of Public Works (DPW) collects trash once or twice per week from single-family homes and residential buildings with three or fewer living units. Click here for collection information, set-out times, and requests. 

Apartment buildings with four or more units, mixed-use residential/commercial buildings, and commercial properties are required to provide their own trash collection services. 

Tall green DC DPW trash bin with a lid and wheels

What Goes in the Trash?

The following materials are listed as trash because most recycling facilities do not accept them. Read below to see which can be recycled or composted through other means of collection and recovery. 

  • Plastic bags, wrap, and film of any kind
    • Click here to learn how to recycle these items at store drop-offs.
Picture of a large clear plastic bag full of materials, a plastic grocery shopping bag, and a food storage bag (ziploc bag)
  • Chip bags
  • Candy wrappers
  • Condiment packets 
Chip bag wrapper, mustard packet, chocolate bar wrapper 
  • Food waste
    • Click here to learn how you can drop off food waste to be composted for free. 
Vegetative food scraps and a half eaten sandwich in a foil wrapper 
  • Items smaller than 2"x2"
    • Plastic utensils
    • Straw
    • Portion cups 
Plastic utensils, plastic straw, small portion cups 
  • Juice and flexible pouches
Flexible drink pouches, sometimes made of a plastic-metallic laminate material like Mylar. 
  • Foam
Foam polystyrene blocks, peanuts, tray, to-go container, and cup 
  • Diapers and personal sanitary products
  • Wet wipes (do not flush them down toilets) 
  • Tissues, napkins, and paper towels
Used diaper, wet wipe, napkins 
  • Clothing and textiles
    • If these materials are in good condition (dry and odorless), consider donating or selling them. As a last resort, place them in the trash. 
Stack of clothing, blanket, towels 

 

What Doesn't Belong in the Trash OR Recycling?

Click here to learn how to dispose of these Special Waste Items.

  • Electronics
  • Batteries
  • Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs
  • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
  • Paint
  • Prescription medications
    • Do not flush or pour them down a drain.
  • Needles and sharps 
Electronics, batteries and chargers, fluorescent light bulb, motor oil, paint buckets