composting

“Leaf collection season begins November 2” also “…District’s composting efforts this fall by dropping off pumpkins, gourds, and other acceptable food scraps at designated food waste collection locations”

By Prince Of Petworth

photo by Jim Havard

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser joined the Department of Public Works (DPW) to announce that the District’s 2026–2027 leaf collection season will begin on Monday, November 2. During the annual fall kickoff, Mayor Bowser highlighted the essential role residents play in keeping neighborhoods clean, protecting the District’s waterways, and turning fallen leaves and food scraps into valuable compost.

“Keeping the District clean and beautiful is a shared responsibility, and leaf collection is one of the best examples of how residents and government work together to get the job done,” said Mayor Bowser. “When residents rake their leaves out properly and our crews collect them, we’re cleaning our streets, protecting our environment, and putting organic material to good use. So, be on the lookout for your leaf collection notice and let’s work together to get the job done.”

Each year, DPW crews collect thousands of tons of leaves from residential streets across all eight wards. The seasonal operation prevents leaves from clogging storm drains and supports the District’s sustainability efforts by diverting organic material from the waste stream. (more…)

“DPW Smart Bins Reaches 1 Million-Pound Collection Milestone Thanks to Residents’ Food Waste Recycling Efforts”

By Prince Of Petworth

From DPW:

“As District residents are increasingly dropping off their food waste in the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) network of Smart Composting Bins, the agency has reached a major sustainability milestone, collecting 1 million pounds of compostable material.

The achievement marks a major environmental benchmark reached at an unprecedented pace across the District’s 31 Food Waste Smart Bins. It also represents one million pounds of food scraps diverted from landfills and transformed into nutrient-rich compost, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while helping build healthier soils. Composting one million pounds of food waste instead of landfilling it has the equivalent benefit of growing 3500 trees over 10 years. (more…)

Dear PoP – Compost Dropoff?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I see these little compost containers in places like Greater Goods on U Street that are designed to hold kitchen scraps in a convenient, non-smelly way until you’re able to drop off the contents at a local compost pile.

I’d really like to buy one of these and reduce the amount of garbage I generate, but I’m not sure where I could drop the scraps. I live on 16th near Dupont.

Any recommendations?”

I thought the purpose of compost was that it is supposed to degrade where it is, no? Anyone have a compost pile? What do you do with the scraps?