The Department of Public Works (DPW) provides assistance to residents who are unable to place or return their garbage and recycling containers due to physical hardship. The trash and recycling crew can collect the containers from your storage location, empty them, and return them to their storage location. However, if there are other residents in the household who are physically capable and of sufficient age, we ask that they handle the placement and return of the containers. To qualify for the hardship collection service, a doctor's certificate or a valid disabled certificate from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required. These certificates should state that all occupants in the household are incapable of placing the trash and recycling containers at the designated point of collection.
You can submit your application, along with the doctor’s or DMV certification(s), to: Solid Waste Management Administration at 1725 15th Street N.E. 2nd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20002.
Alternatively, you can fax the documents to 202-645-3893.
Click here to view the application.
