Washington, District of Columbia resident guide
Washington trash, recycling & bulk pickup
Find regular trash and recycling information alongside bulky-item schedules, set-out rules, accepted items, and holiday changes.
Official source links checked on August 27, 2026.
Regular household service
Trash and recycling service
Start here for the recurring household collections residents use most often.
Most DPW-served households receive weekly trash collection; use the official address app for the exact day.
DPW recycling follows the address schedule for eligible residences.
Need it gone before the city service?
Compare independent pickup when the local date is too far away or an item is excluded.
Start here
Schedule Washington service
Submit a 311 bulk-trash service request and wait for confirmation before placing items at the normal trash and recycling collection point.
City rules at a glance
Local limits before set-out
DC Public Works collects eligible bulk items by appointment from single-family homes and residential buildings with three or fewer units that receive DPW trash service.
Submit a 311 bulk-trash service request and wait for confirmation before placing items at the normal trash and recycling collection point.
No more than seven eligible items are collected per appointment.
Set confirmed items out between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6 a.m. on appointment day where trash and recycling are normally collected.
Local detail that matters
What makes Washington service different
DC eligibility stops at buildings with more than three units. Condominiums, co-ops, larger apartments, and commercial properties must arrange a licensed private hauler.
Item guidance
What may go in the bulky-item pile
Accepted examples
Eligible large household furniture and other approved bulk items from DPW-served homes.
Not accepted
Bricks, concrete, dirt, ceiling tile, renovation and demolition debris, hazardous waste, and items from larger or commercially serviced buildings.
Holiday collectionWashington holiday collection guidancePublished city guidance
District holidays can shift collection.
TrashDayFinder does not fill this section with assumed federal-holiday dates. A specific delay or makeup date will appear after it is confirmed in published local guidance.
Common questions
Washington collection FAQ
How many items can DC collect per appointment?
Current DPW guidance allows no more than seven eligible items.
Does DC serve large apartment buildings?
No. Buildings with four or more units and other private properties must use a private licensed hauler.
Sources used for this guide
Official supporting information
TrashDayFinder used these public sources to prepare the resident guidance above. They were checked on August 27, 2026 and are provided here as evidence.