Food Waste Prevention & Donation
Stopping food waste before it begins and donating food is the best practice before composting or anaerobically digesting waste. Learn all about food donation and waste prevention.
Food Waste Drop-Off
District residents can drop off food waste to be composted at weekend food waste drop-off events at designated farmers' markets and community sites or at more than thirty 24/7 "smart bins" citywide.
Residential Food Waste Collection
After completing DPW's year-long Curbside Composting Pilot Program in September 2024, DPW continues offering food waste collection to participants. District residents may join the waitlist for future program expansion. Learn all about DPW's food waste collection program.
Learn How to Grasscycle
"Grasscycling" is the simple act of leaving your grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. The result is a healthier-looking lawn that saves you time and money! Learn more.
Leaf Collection
DPW collects leaves at least twice each fall by “vacuuming” the leaves residents rake into their tree boxes. These leaves are then composted. Find the leaf collection schedule and status for your neighborhood.
Holiday Trees
Each January-February, holiday trees and greenery are collected from the curb in front of residential households serviced by DPW. These trees and any greenery brought to the Fort Totten Transfer Station will be composted. Find out when holiday trees and greenery will be collected this year for composting.
Community Composting
Join one of 50+ DC Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) critter-proof Community Compost Cooperatives around the city to compost your food scraps with garden waste as a community. Or take the DPR Master Urban Composter Course to learn how to start and manage a community composting site.
Pick-Up Free Mulch
DPW will allow District residents to fill up to five 32-gallon bags (bring your own bags and shovel) of free yard waste compost/mulch mix (subject to availability) Wednesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Fort Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John McCormack Rd NE.