Some waste should not be disposed of in your recycling or trash bins. Below you will find a list of options for properly recycling or disposing of special waste.
Special Waste Residential Drop-Off
District residents can drop off many types of special waste at no cost. Starting July 8, 2023, special waste (including Household Hazardous Waste, Electronics, and documents to be shredded) can be dropped off one Thursday and one Saturday per month at RFK Stadium Lot 3. Click here for dates and directions to Lot 3.
Electronics
Covered electronic equipment is banned from trash.
- Drop off and recycling electronics at RFK Stadium Lot 3 one Thursday a month (10 am – 2 pm) and one Saturday a month (7 am – 2 pm).
- Find additional recycling options through the District's electronics stewardship program, eCYCLE DC. Note that only covered electronic equipment is accepted at these events. See eCYCLE DC for more information.
Batteries
- Drop off and recycle batteries at RFK Stadium Lot 3 one Thursday a month (10 am – 2 pm) and one Saturday a month (7 am – 2 pm).
- Find additional drop-off locations for rechargeable batteries with Call2Recycle.
- To safely store all used rechargeable batteries, tape the batteries at the ends with clear packing, masking or electrical tape.
Textiles
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The Sustainable DC (SDC) Textiles Reuse & Recovery Initiative provides local residents and visitors resources for decreasing the impact that their clothing (and other textiles) has on the environment.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
- HHW materials should NOT be put in trash or recycling bins.
- Safely dispose of HHW at the RFK Stadium Lot 3 one Thursday a month (10 am – 2 pm) and one Saturday a month (7 am – 2 pm).
- Visit here for a list of accepted and prohibited HHW items at RFK Stadium Lot 3 Special Waste Collections Events.
Paint
- Paint can be dropped off at the RFK Stadium Lot 3 one Thursday a month (10 am – 2 pm) and one Saturday a month (7 am – 2 pm).
- Additional drop-off options can be found on PaintCare’s website.
CFL Lamps
- Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs contain small amounts of mercury.
- Safely dispose of CFL bulbs at RFK Stadium Lot 3 one Thursday a month (10 am – 2 pm) and one Saturday a month (7 am – 2 pm).
Needles & Sharps
- At this time, the District does not have a needle disposal program.
- Here is a step-by-step guidance sheet on proper disposal of needles and sharps.
Prescription Drugs
- Do NOT flush or pour prescription drugs down the drain.
- Check the National Drug Take-Back Day for an upcoming event.
- Find permanent drug disposal sites using the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s locator or the US Department of Justice’s Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locator.
- If you cannot make it to a drop-off location or event, mix crushed pills or liquid with dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds, then put in the trash. Recycle empty bottle after removing personal information and label from the bottle.
Personal Documents Shredding
Residents may bring up to 5 medium-sized boxes of personal documents to the RFK Stadium Lot 3 one Thursday a month (10 am – 2 pm) and one Saturday a month (7 am – 2 pm).
Mattresses
- For safe disposal, mattresses must be wrapped in plastic for bulk collection.
- Call 311 to set up a bulk trash collection appointment.
- Place your bulk items out no earlier than 6:30 pm the day before or no later than 6 am on your appointment day.