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Try the next-generation Data Catalog at catalog-beta.data.gov and help shape it with your feedback.

This is a Non-Federal dataset covered by different Terms of Use than Data.gov.

Recycling in DC: Pathway to Zero Waste

Metadata Updated: January 14, 2026

This StoryMap is here to walk you through the entire DPW-serviced residential recycling process from start to finish. The goal of this StoryMap is to inspire recycling participation through education and strong insights on how to recycle "the right way." You will also learn how the recycling you separate at-home is collected, screened, sorted, and transferred by DC DPW for processing into new products. ​

The District's first residential recycling program was started in March of 1989. At first, only newspapers were accepted. In 1991, additional materials, glass, plastic, metals were added to the list of acceptable items. In 2014, the Sustainable DC Plan was established outlining many of the District's sustainability goals, including the District's Zero Waste goal of diverting 80% of citywide waste away from landfill and incineration towards more beneficial use. Since then, the Inter-Agency Waste Reduction Working Group has been hard at work; to build a foundation for long-term success.

Many materials are accepted for curbside recycling in the District including paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Generally speaking, items must be at least 2" x 2" in diameter to be considered large enough to be properly sorted at recycling facilities. But all items must all also be clean, dry, and empty in order to be recycled.​ 

Learn more in this interactive story map.

Access & Use Information

Public: This dataset is intended for public access and use. Non-Federal: This dataset is covered by different Terms of Use than Data.gov. License: Creative Commons Attribution

Downloads & Resources

Dates

Metadata Created Date April 30, 2024
Metadata Updated Date January 14, 2026

Metadata Source

Harvested from DC data

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Created Date April 30, 2024
Metadata Updated Date January 14, 2026
Publisher Department of Public Works
Maintainer
Identifier https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=a27a17498d3647c6b2a5523ff2d833bc
Data First Published 2021-08-04T14:19:12.000Z
Data Last Modified 2022-02-25T19:05:01.000Z
Category geospatial
Public Access Level public
Metadata Context https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.jsonld
Schema Version https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema
Catalog Describedby https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.json
Harvest Object Id 86ac5380-b881-4e2b-be81-e4d9e4cd260c
Harvest Source Id b05f955a-65d6-4288-9558-15a5ebc74e36
Harvest Source Title DC data
Homepage URL https://opendata.dc.gov/apps/DCGIS::recycling-in-dc-pathway-to-zero-waste
License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Metadata Type geospatial
Old Spatial -77.2258,38.7867,-76.8125,39.0009
Source Datajson Identifier True
Source Hash e6e174ad1d022b11c4f36b65c1f3308029c0d529f7fa7e9e64f70213af19fa93
Source Schema Version 1.1
Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": -77.2258, 38.7867, -77.2258, 39.0009, -76.8125, 39.0009, -76.8125, 38.7867, -77.2258, 38.7867}

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