Washington, DC trash pickup schedule

Washington trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.

Population 693,645 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked October 30, 2026Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.

Contents10 sections

Quick answer

Who collects	The city collects DPW collects from single-family homes and residential buildings with three or fewer units; buildings with four or more units, mixed-use and commercial properties must contract their own collection.¹
How often	Trash weekly (twice weekly in neighborhoods with narrow streets and alleys), recycling weekly, yard waste by appointment (call 311 or 311.dc.gov)²⁶⁷
Set out	No earlier than 6:30 p.m. the night before and no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day; remove containers from public space by 8 p.m. on collection day.¹
Your pickup day	Address lookup: collectionday.dcgis.dc.gov. App: Trash and Recycling Collection Day App (DC GIS); MyDPW app for alerts² · Look up your day here
Holiday	Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026: Delayed one day. Holiday on Wednesday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Thursday, Nov 12.⁴

Bulk items: By appointment (details). Drop-off sites: 3 listed (hours and fees).

Washington holiday trash schedule 2026

City’s rule	When a holiday falls on a collection day, collection slides one day later for the rest of the week through Saturday (Monday routes on Tuesday, etc.). Twice-weekly areas: Monday/Thursday become Tuesday/Friday and Tuesday/Friday become Wednesday/Saturday. Food waste collection slides the same way.²¹³
Official notice	dpw.dc.gov

Washington trash pickup on holidays, 2026
Holiday	Date	Pickup	What the city says
New Year's Day	Thu, Jan 1, 2026	Delayed one day	Holiday on Thursday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Friday, January 2.⁴
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Mon, Jan 19, 2026	Delayed one day	Holiday on Monday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Tuesday, Jan 20.⁴
Presidents' Day	Mon, Feb 16, 2026	Delayed one day	Holiday on Monday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Tuesday, Feb 17.⁴
DC Emancipation Day	Thu, Apr 16, 2026	Delayed one day	DC Emancipation Day (Thursday): Slide Guide lists collections on Apr 17.⁴
Memorial Day	Mon, May 25, 2026	Delayed one day	Holiday on Monday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Tuesday, May 26.⁴
Juneteenth	Fri, Jun 19, 2026	Delayed one day	Holiday on Friday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Saturday, June 20.⁴
Independence Day (Fourth of July)	Fri, Jul 3, 2026 (observed)	Not on the city’s list	Not on the city’s list for this year
Labor Day	Mon, Sep 7, 2026	Delayed one day	Holiday on Monday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Tuesday, Sept 8.⁴
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day	Mon, Oct 12, 2026	Delayed one day	Listed as Indigenous Peoples' Day (Monday): collections slide; Slide Guide lists Tuesday, Oct 13.⁴
Veterans Day	Wed, Nov 11, 2026	Delayed one day	Holiday on Wednesday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Thursday, Nov 12.⁴
Thanksgiving Day	Thu, Nov 26, 2026	Delayed one day	Holiday on Thursday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Friday, Nov 27.⁴
Christmas Day	Fri, Dec 25, 2026	Delayed one day	Holiday on Friday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Saturday, Dec 26.⁴

Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.

Sources: Find your collection schedule, 2026 Holiday Trash/Recycling and Food Waste Collections Sl…, Food Waste Collection program (Zero Waste DC) Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Bulk trash pickup in Washington

How it works	By appointment⁵
How to request	Call 311 or use 311.dc.gov to book before setting items out; place items where trash is collected between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on the appointment day.⁵
Limits	No more than seven items per appointment; mattresses and box springs must be wrapped in plastic, rugs rolled and tied, toilets wrapped in plastic.⁵
Fees	Not published by the city (official page)
Not accepted	Renovation/construction materials: bricks, concrete, ceiling tiles, drywall, dirt, wooden pallets⁵ Electronics and televisions; hazardous or liquid waste⁵ Bagged waste, household trash, tree stumps, yard waste, tires, old trash/recycling bins⁵

Sources: Bulk Trash Collection Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Recycling in Washington

Pickup	weekly⁶
Type	single-stream⁶
Glass	accepted in cart⁶
Plastics	plastic cups and containers, bottles and lids, and bulky plastic items (clean and empty); no resin-number rule published⁶

Accepted

Paper: cups and containers, flattened cardboard, milk/juice/soup cartons, newspaper and magazines, books and phone books, junk mail and office paper⁶
Plastic cups and containers, bottles and lids, bulky plastic items⁶
Steel and aluminum bottles, cans and containers⁶
Glass bottles and jars⁶

Not accepted

Plastic bags, wraps and film⁶
Foam polystyrene, straws and utensils⁶
Tissues, paint cans, ceramics⁶
Clothing, tanglers (cables and cords), electronics and batteries⁶
Bagged recyclables (leave items loose)⁶

Programs

Food Waste Collection Program (curbside food scraps) for enrolled households in DPW-serviced buildings (3 or fewer units); new households added from a waitlist, priority to low-income and disadvantaged communities; food waste day may differ from trash day (ask (202) 645-8245)¹³

Sources: Recycle - Residents (Zero Waste DC), Food Waste Collection program (Zero Waste DC) Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups

Yard waste pickup	Yes⁷
Season	year-round⁷
How often	by appointment (call 311 or 311.dc.gov)⁷
Rules	Paper bags only (no plastic), up to 20 bags per collection, left at the trash collection point; branches bundled, no limbs over 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet long, no stumps, dirt or rocks.⁷
Food scraps	Food Waste Collection Program (curbside) for enrolled single-family households; new households from a waitlist¹³
Christmas trees	2025-26 season: curbside collection January 2 – February 28, 2026 (trees in tree box or at curb, no bags, ornaments and lights removed); drop-off weekdays at Bryant Street Sweep Shop, Guy Mason Recreation Center and DPW Salt Storage Facility. 2026-27 dates not yet published.⁹
Leaf collection	2026-27 leaf collection: rake to tree box or curb (paper bags only) on the Sunday before your section's week. Estimated first pass: Section A Nov 2-15, Section B Nov 16-29, Section C Nov 30-Dec 13, Section D Dec 14-28; second pass follows as weather permits. No collection on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. Leaf Line (202) 671-LEAF.⁸
Cleanup events	Special Waste Collection Events (HHW, electronics, document shredding) — free, registration required¹⁰

Sources: Yard Waste Collection, Leaf Collection, Holiday Trees & Greenery Collection, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), E-cycling, & Document Shr…, Food Waste Collection program (Zero Waste DC) Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste

Fort Totten Transfer Station

Type	Transfer station
Run by	The city
Address	4900 John McCormack Rd NE, Washington, DC 20011 · Map⁵
Hours	Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Monday (Sunday not listed)⁵
Fees	Not published by the city (official page)
Who can use it	DC residents only; photo ID (plus utility bill/lease/deed if not a DC license); passenger vehicles and rentals under 15 ft only⁵
Accepts	bulk items, trash, recycling, yard waste, wooden pallets; up to four tires (Wed-Fri 10 a.m.-2 p.m. only); free mulch/compost up to five 32-gallon bags (bring own bags)⁵

DPW Special Waste Collection Events (HHW, e-cycling, shredding)

Type	Household hazardous waste
Run by	The city
Address	varies by event (listed on Eventbrite via DPW)¹⁰
Hours	event dates; one 30-minute arrival window per registration¹⁰
Fees	free¹⁰
Who can use it	District residents¹⁰

DPW Food Waste Drop-Off (24/7 smart bins and staffed weekend farmers-market sites)

Type	Compost / yard waste site
Run by	The city
Address	multiple sites in all eight wards (list on the DPW page)¹⁴
Hours	smart bins 24/7 (metroKEY app or keypad); staffed sites Saturdays & Sundays¹⁴
Fees	Not published by the city (official page)
Who can use it	residents¹⁴

Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.

Sources: Bulk Trash Collection, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), E-cycling, & Document Shr…, Fort Totten Transfer Station has Reopened, Food Waste Drop-Off Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Missed pickup and contacts

Missed pickup form	311.dc.gov²
Phone	(202) 673-6833 (DPW)¹
311	311 or (202) 737-4404; online at 311.dc.gov⁴
Official website	dpw.dc.gov

Sources: Trash/Recycling Collections, Find your collection schedule, 2026 Holiday Trash/Recycling and Food Waste Collections Sl… Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Nearby cities

All District of Columbia cities: District of Columbia trash pickup schedules.

Washington trash pickup FAQ

What day is trash picked up in Washington?

Trash is collected weekly (twice weekly in neighborhoods with narrow streets and alleys). Washington does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s address lookup (collectionday.dcgis.dc.gov) or the Trash and Recycling Collection Day App (DC GIS); MyDPW app for alerts app.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Washington?

Thanksgiving Day falls on Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Delayed one day: Holiday on Thursday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Friday, Nov 27.

Is trash picked up on Christmas Day 2026 in Washington?

Christmas Day falls on Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Delayed one day: Holiday on Friday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Saturday, Dec 26.

Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2026 in Washington?

New Year's Day falls on Thu, Jan 1, 2026. Delayed one day: Holiday on Thursday: collections slide one day for the rest of the week (rest of week through Saturday per DPW schedule page); Slide Guide lists the slid collection on Friday, January 2.

How do I get rid of bulky items in Washington?

By appointment. Call 311 or use 311.dc.gov to book before setting items out; place items where trash is collected between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on the appointment day.

Does Washington recycle glass?

Glass: accepted in cart.

How do I report a missed trash pickup in Washington?

Use the city’s online form (311.dc.gov) or call (202) 673-6833 (DPW).

Sources

1
Trash/Recycling CollectionsCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
2
Find your collection scheduleCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
3
Holiday Trash, Recycling, and Food Waste Collections ScheduleCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
4
2026 Holiday Trash/Recycling and Food Waste Collections Slide Guide (PDF)City · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
5
Bulk Trash CollectionCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
6
Recycle - Residents (Zero Waste DC)City · zerowaste.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
7
Yard Waste CollectionCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
8
Leaf CollectionCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
9
Holiday Trees & Greenery CollectionCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
10
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), E-cycling, & Document ShreddingCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
11
Fort Totten Transfer Station has ReopenedCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
12
DC GIS: New Supercan Days / Conventional Trash Days / Conventional Recycling Days layersCity · maps2.dcgis.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
13
Food Waste Collection program (Zero Waste DC)City · zerowaste.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
14
Food Waste Drop-OffCity · dpw.dc.gov · checked October 30, 2026

Something changed? Report a change

Second-pass verification against every source: October 30, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.