4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in District of Columbia, District of Columbia.
Verified from official government sources
The Department of Public Works provides weekly trash and recycling collection to approximately 107,000 DC households in buildings of 3 or fewer units. Buildings with 4+ units must contract with private haulers. Supercans must be placed at the curb or alley no earlier than 6:30 PM the night before and retrieved by 8:00 PM on collection day.
Under DCMR Title 21 section 707, DC Supercans must be placed within 4 feet of the curb or alley line on collection day and stored out of public view between pickups. Cans placed on sidewalks blocking pedestrian access, left at the curb overnight after pickup, or visible from the public street between collections trigger DOB and DPW citations.
DC residents in DPW-serviced buildings can schedule up to 10 bulk items per pickup via the 311 system, with next-available collection typically 1-2 weeks out. Appliances must have refrigerants reclaimed. Electronics, tires, and hazardous waste must be taken to the Fort Totten Transfer Station on Saturdays.
DC mandates recycling for all residents, businesses, and institutions under the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Amendment Act (DC Law 20-154) and DCMR Title 21 Chapter 10. Single-stream recycling accepts paper, cardboard, metal, glass, and plastics #1, #2, and #5. Contamination tags and fines are issued by DPW. DC bans plastic bags at checkout and foam food containers.
1 cities in District of Columbia have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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