August 9, 2005

 

 

Earlier this year, DPW began distributing new, blue recycling carts across the city.  Why carts?  The carts have wheels and handles to make them easier to use.  Additionally, research shows that more households recycle (and they recycle more) when they have the carts available.

 

The carts will take the place of the old recycling bins in all but a few neighborhoods where space is so tight that residents have told us they can’t accommodate or store the carts on their property.  Those residents will keep using their bins.
 

 

All eligible residences in the outer ring of the District – wards 8, 7, 5, 4, and 3 – have gotten their blue carts for weekly recycling collection.  Blue recycling carts are now being distributed in the twice-a-week trash collection areas east of Rock Creek Park in wards 1, 2 and 6.

 

 

Residents in the twice-a-week trash collection area will also receive a matching 32-gallon green cart for trash.  The wheeled green carts, which resemble miniature Supercans, replace the round conventional cans that most residents in this area have used in the past. 
 
How do I get rid of my old Clean City can and recycling bin?

 

If you have twice weekly trash collection AND you received two new carts, you may set out your old containers on Tuesday night, Aug. 30, for pick-up on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

 

 

Not everyone in this group of residents will receive the two new carts.  Because of the limited space in these areas, such as Historic Georgetown and Capitol Hill (sometimes called the Old City), DPW first surveyed the neighborhoods to determine which homes could fully make use of the carts.  Only those residents who we believe can make use of the new cart will be issued them.  The remainder will not convert from conventional garbage cans and recycling bins to small carts.
 
What if you do not receive a cart and want one?

 

Any resident who does not get the trash and/or recycling carts and believes they could use them (you have space for storage off the public rights-of-way with access to your point-of-collection) may call 727-1000 and request a cart.  These requests will be fulfilled AFTER DPW has completed the initial cart delivery to all eligible residences (late-summer). 

 

 

After DPW has made all the deliveries, we will schedule a day (probably a Wednesday or Saturday) when you can put out your unwanted new cart(s) for collection.