Trivia: Did you know that multi-family buildings provide the majority of the housing units in the District? There are as many as 3 times the number of apartments and condos in DC as there are single family homes. Without a doubt, recycling in multi-family buildings is important.
While the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) does not provide waste and recycling collection services to multi-family buildings with four or more housing units, mixed-use residential/commercial buildings, or commercial properties; these properties are still required to provide their tenents adequate recycling and trash collection services.
The following information and resources are provided for Multi-Family building managers, owners, janitorial staff and residents.
Recycling Requirements for Commercial Properties
Click here to learn about recycling requirements for commercial properties in the District.
Required Source Separation Plans for Multi-Family Buildings
Starting on January 1, 2024, a new recycling requirement took effect under the Zero Waste Omnibus Amendment Act of 2020 and D.C. Code § 8–1031.04. The following entities must submit an annual Source Separation Plan to the DC DPW outlining the steps the property owner will take to implement compliant recycling programs:
- Multi-family dwellings with 80 or more units
- Commercial buildings with 10 or more units
- Businesses or nonprofit organizations with 101 or more employees
Plans are due annually every April 1st and will be reviewed and verified through on-site inspection by DPW staff. Click here to learn more about developing and submitting a Source Separation Plan.
CLEAN Collections Amendment Act of 2024
On March 21, 2026, D.C. Law 25-297, Containing Litter and Ensuring Adequate Neighborhood (CLEAN) Collections Act, went into effect.
The CLEAN Collection Act amends the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Amendment Act of 2014, and the following requirements apply to multi-family properties. (Read the full text here):
- Provide adequate capacity for the disposal of solid waste (equivalent to at least 32 gallons of solid waste container space per residential unit per week),
- Provide equal volume for source-separated trash and recyclable materials, such that residents are able to dispose of as much recyclable material as they are trash.
- Provide dumpsters, rather than 32-gallon or 64-gallon waste containers, where feasible, and where dumpsters are infeasible, provide waste containers that shall be secured in such a manner so as to protect against theft of the container when not set out for collection.
- Enter into contracts with collectors of solid waste to receive services not less than twice per week at each property (excluding weeks where a District holiday or hazardous weather conditions prevent multiple collections)
Questions? Contact a Recycling Outreach Specialist for help interpreting how the CLEAN Collections Act affects your property by emailing us at [email protected].
What Must be Accepted for Recycling at Multi-Family properties in DC?
All multi-family commercial properties must provide (at a minimum) for the collection of the following recyclable materials.
Note: Some commercial properties are also considered covered entities for the source-separation of food waste. Learn more about food waste separation here.
Paper
- Cups & Containers
- Flattened Cardboard
- Milk, Juice, & Soup Cartons
- Newspaper / Magazines
- Books / Phone Books
- Junk Mail & Office Paper
(all items clean & empty)
*No Tissues
Plastic
- Cups & Containers
- Bottles & Lids
- Bulky Items
(all items clean & empty)
*No Plastic Bags
*No Foam Polystyrene
*No Straws or Utensils
Metal
- Steel & Aluminum
- Bottles/Cans/Containers
(all items clean & empty)
*No Paint Cans
Glass
- Bottles & Jars
(all items clean & empty)
*No Ceramics
For a comprehensive list of what can be recycled in the District, please refer to this list.
How To Prepare Recyclables
- Recyclables should be clean & empty.
- Do not bag recyclables. Leave items loose in the bin.
- Empty & flatten cardboard boxes.
- Keep out: Plastic bags, clothing, tanglers (cables & cords), electronics & batteries.
What Doesn't Belong in the Recycling Bin?
For the list of materials that should not go in the recycling bin, but can be put in the trash bin, please click here.
Certain materials should not go in the recycling OR trash bin. To learn how to dispose of special waste properly, please click here.
Helpful recycling signage and information for Janitorial Staff & Tenants
Click here to view the recycling signage and informational brochures available for building managers to share with janitorial staff and tenants.