Mayor Bowser to Highlight Success of District’s Composting Program, Announce Expansion of Citywide Initiatives

(Washington, DC) - On Friday, May 29 at 11 am, Mayor Muriel Bowser will join the Department of Public Works (DPW), District officials, and sustainability partners at Anacostia Neighborhood Library to celebrate National Learn About Composting Day by highlighting the success of the District's food waste diversion programs and announcing a new expansion of the city's composting initiatives. The event will also feature a demonstration of one of the city's food waste smart bins, as well as mini composting workshops.

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.

Mayor Bowser's FY27 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.

When:
Friday, May 29, at 11 am

Who:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Anthony Crispino, Interim Director, Department of Public Works
Yvette Davis, Anacostia Library Branch Manager

Where:
Anacostia Neighborhood Library
1800 Marion Barry Avenue SE
*Closest Bus Routes: C15, C31, C23, C53*
*Closest Bikeshare: Anacostia Library (18th St & Marion Barry Ave SE)*

Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to [email protected].

The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will provide a live feed of this event. To view the event, visit mayor.dc.gov/live, tune in on Channel 16 (DCN), or watch on Mayor Bowser's Facebook or X.

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