Mayor Bowser Highlights Success of District’s Composting Program, Announces Expansion of Citywide Initiative

(Washington, DC) - Today, on National Learn About Composting Day, Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by the Department of Public Works (DPW), District officials, and sustainability partners to highlight the continued success of the District's food waste diversion programs and announce the rollout of 20 additional public food waste smart bins citywide beginning this summer.

Since 2017, DPW's food waste diversion programs, which include residential curbside collection, weekend drop-off events, and 24-hour smart bins, have collected more than 11 million of pounds of food waste for composting-the environmental equivalent of taking about 500 gas-powered passenger vehicles off the road or planting and growing about 35,000 trees for 10 years. In 2025 alone, the agency captured more than 3.3 million pounds of food waste, turning it into valuable compost that supports healthier soils and a greener DC.

"When we launched the District's first comprehensive composting programs almost a decade ago, we set out to make composting accessible to residents in all eight wards,"said Mayor Bowser."From curbside collection to farmers market drop-offs to smart bins you can use any time of day, we have built a composting network that meets residents where they are. With 20 new smart bins coming soon, we're expanding that network even further-making it easier than ever for District residents to help the environment, keep food waste out of their trash, and be part of building the clean, green city we all love."

The District's composting network currently includes 12,000 households receiving residential food waste collection and 45 food waste drop-off locations citywide, including 13 weekend drop-off sites at farmers markets and 31 public smart bins. Installed beginning in February 2025, the smart bins alone have already collected more than 800,000 pounds of food waste and are on track to surpass one million pounds this summer.

The 20 additional smart bins announced today-to be installed later this summer-will further expand access to composting opportunities citywide. The new units are designed with accessibility in mind, including features compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bins, which are designed to contain odors and prevent access by rodents and pests, also use smart technology that alerts crews when servicing is needed.

Building on the District's success to date, Mayor Bowser's Fiscal Year 2027 budget invests an additional $4.2 million to support the composting program and expand access, divert more waste, and deliver cleaner, greener neighborhoods across all eight wards.

"Food waste diversion is one of the most impactful ways we can reduce landfill waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create cleaner, rodent-free neighborhoods," said DPW Interim Director Anthony Crispino. "The District is now operating one of the nation's largest municipal smart bin composting programs per capita, and residents are proving that when sustainable infrastructure is accessible, communities participate. Together, all these investments are supporting healthier soils and greener communities."

Food waste collected through DPW's food waste diversion programs is sent to a commercial composting facility in Maryland, which turns food and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil for local farms and gardens. Participants of the residential composting program also get a free bag of compost every year, allowing them to enjoy the results of their efforts and close the loop on sustainability right in their own backyards.

For more information on DPW's food waste reduction initiatives and where to drop off food waste-including an interactive map of all smart bins and farmers market drop-offs-visit zerowaste.dc.gov/foodwastedropoff.

Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Bluesky: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos
Mayor Bowser LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayorbowser