Washington, DC Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

C. 03(a)(1), waste generated anywhere in the District must be sorted at the point of discard into recyclable materials, compostable materials, and trash; the compostable-materials category applies once the Mayor implements a citywide compost collection program, though the Mayor may require source separation of compostables at private collection properties even before that program launches. The Mayor publishes and maintains an official list of recyclable materials under subsection (b), reviewing it at least twice a year to add or drop items, so the exact materials that count as 'recyclable' can change without a new law.

Subsection (c) required the Mayor to deliver a comprehensive Organics Management Plan to the Council by January 1, 2023, covering processing sites, rollout timelines, and 10-year diversion goals. Subsection (f) directs the Mayor to run a training and outreach program for janitorial staff and property managers on proper source separation, refreshed at least every five years or whenever a new separation requirement is added. The sharpest enforcement tool sits in subsection (g): any basic-business-license holder running a special event expecting 100 or more attendees must supply onsite infrastructure for separating and recycling recyclable waste, and a license holder who fails to do so is subject to a fine of up to $5,000 per day the violation continues.

14 lets the Mayor set civil penalties for chapter-wide violations, inspect properties during normal business hours, and require repeat violators to file a source separation plan. 07, fields citizen complaints about noncompliant source separation and coordinates the required training rollout.