(Washington, DC) Revisions to the Department of Public Works' (DPW) free Commercial Recycling Guide are now available online.
Every year, the District of Columbia produces over 800,000 tons of trash. According to DPW’s Office of Recycling, approximately 70 percent of that amount is generated by commercial and non-residential sources. To cut down on the amount of waste going to landfills and incinerators, the District requires all businesses and non-residential buildings to recycle.
In addition to being more cost effective, recycling decreases the amount of trash going directly into the District's "waste stream." In so doing, businesses can improve our region's environmental health by saving costly natural resources, cutting down on certain types of pollution and decreasing the need for more waste facilities in or near our communities.
DC Recycling Requirements
Any premises not authorized to receive municipal trash and recycling collection services is considered a business or commercial establishment. Recycling is required in all commercial establishments. These include office buildings, churches, retailers, warehouses, apartment buildings (with four or more units) as well as co-ops and condominiums, service companies, bars and restaurants, as well as museums, associations, non-profit organizations and universities.
Recyclables should be free of any contaminants such as paint, animal waste, food and garbage. Recyclable materials include the following:
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Paper - newspaper, office paper, flyers, cardboard, mail, envelopes (except Tyvek®)
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Cans - aluminum, steel and tin cans
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Glass - brown, green and clear glass bottles and jars
